Social services staff in Herefordshire have a coronavirus "crisis" on their hands in care homes, a judge has heard.

Staff had seen a "significant" number of deaths in the past few weeks, Mr Justice Keehan was told on Thursday.

A barrister representing Herefordshire Council spelled out the problem as the judge oversaw the latest stage of a Court of Protection case centred on the care of a man with learning difficulties.

Council social services bosses are trying to find a new placement for the man, who is facing eviction from specialist accommodation.

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Managers at a specialist unit have raised concern about the man's aggression, and attitude towards women, and say he must leave in the near future.

Mike O'Brien QC said the man's case was a very high priority.

But he has told how the lockdown is making it difficult for staff to assess accommodation options and said the council was also dealing with a Covid-19 crisis.

"Adult services are currently coping with a coronavirus crisis in their care homes," he told the judge.

"They have had a significant number of deaths in the last few weeks."

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Mr Justice Keehan oversaw a virtual hearing in the Court of Protection, where issues relating to people who may lack the mental capacity to make decisions are considered, on Thursday.

He has been asked to decide what is in the man's best interests and is due to reconsider the case in the next few weeks.

The judge said the man could not be identified in media reports of the case.