Number of suspected Covid-19 deaths at Edinburgh care home

A number of residents at a care home in Edinburgh have died after contracting suspected coronavirus.

A spokeswoman for Four Seasons Health Care, which runs the care home, confirmed there had been some deaths at Guthrie House in the south-east of the capital.

The spokeswoman said: “With deep sadness, we can confirm that a number of residents who were displaying symptoms associated with coronavirus have passed away in our homes across the country.

“Our thoughts are with the families and friends of these residents and we are providing them with ongoing support at this difficult time.

“We are providing daily updates to care authorities on all confirmed and suspected cases of coronavirus among our residents and colleagues.”

The Care Inspectorate said it was aware of the deaths at the home and was working with the operator and local health and social care partnership.

A spokesperson for the watchdog said: “Our thoughts are with the loved ones of those affected as well as the staff and wider community of the home.

“All of Scotland’s social care sector is working tirelessly under very difficult circumstances to care for people during the pandemic and the Care Inspectorate is doing all it can to support them.”

Figures released last week by the National Records of Scotland revealed almost a quarter (24.6%) of deaths linked to coronavirus happened in care homes.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has faced repeated questions about testing for care home residents, with opposition parties calling for all new admissions to be tested for coronavirus.

Sturgeon has warned current tests are not completely reliable if a person is not showing symptoms of Covid-19.

But she has pledged all symptomatic residents should now be tested to give families and the public assurances about controlling the spread of the virus.