Covid outbreak at care home claims the lives of 19 residents

Almost 20 residents have died following a coronavirus outbreak at a care home in Fife.

Lomond Court Care Home in Glenrothes was closed to visitors and new admissions after a cluster was detected last month.

On Wednesday, NHS Fife confirmed that 19 residents had passed away after contracting the virus.

The health board stated that an additional 31 residents and 40 staff members and individuals linked to the home had also been infected.

HC-One, which owns the home, revealed that the residents “are doing well and have recovered”.

The firm said the residents have since passed their 14-day isolation period and claimed there have been no new Covid cases for two weeks.

A spokesperson for the home said: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with all families who have lost a loved one from coronavirus and we are doing our utmost to support them during this difficult time.

“Our residents become part of our family and their loss is felt deeply by carers who have built relationships with them over many years.

“We are doing everything we can to support our residents to return to good health and they are our absolute priority.

“The home continues to be well supplied with the resources they need to respond to the outbreak and we are working closely with our local health partners including NHS Fife.”

The Crown Office confirmed it is investigating 17 of the deaths.

A Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (Copfs) spokesperson said: “The Procurator Fiscal has received reports in connection with the deaths of 17 people at Lomond Court Care Home, Glenrothes.

“The investigation into the deaths is ongoing and the families will continue to be kept updated in relation to any significant developments.”

Copfs has created a dedicated deaths investigation team to ensure that appropriate inquiries are undertaken by the relevant authorities in relation to Covid-19 fatalities.

This will allow Copfs to make informed decisions about whether further investigation is required.

NHS Fife said it is supporting the home’s management to help curb any further spread of the virus.

Dr Esther Curnock, deputy director of public health at NHS Fife, said: “We can confirm there have been further cases of Covid-19 associated with Lomond Court Care Home and our hearts go out to those who have lost loved ones at such a difficult time.

“Covid-19 is particularly infectious in older adults and care homes across Fife are working incredibly hard to try and prevent clusters of Covid-19 from developing.

“Alongside our colleagues in Fife Council and the Fife Health and Social Care Partnership, we are assisting care home managers in any way we can to prevent spread and ensure that residents continue to receive a good standard of care.”