Two deaths reported to Crown and 85 Covid cases at care home

A major coronavirus outbreak at a care home in Aberdeen has seen 85 cases and two deaths confirmed

Grandholm Care Home, in Bridge of Don, first detected the virus on January 8. Following mass testing, the majority of the other cases among residents were found.

The Crown Office has confirmed two deaths have been reported at the home.

The home is now closed to new admissions and non-essential visitors and is working with NHS Grampian and Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership to contain the spread of the virus.

The home said that most of the staff and residents who tested positive have had either mild symptoms or no symptoms at all.

Next of kin for each resident who tested positive have been informed.

The 79-bed facility provides care to over 65s and people with dementia and dementia-related conditions.

A spokesperson for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said: “The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has established a dedicated team to deal with reports of Covid-19 or presumed Covid-19 deaths in care homes or where the deceased may have contracted the virus in the course of their employment.

“The Covid-19 Deaths Investigation Team (CDIT) receives and deals with those reports and will work with the relevant agencies to ensure that all necessary and appropriate investigations are undertaken and that each investigation progresses as expediently as it can.”

A spokesperson for NHS Grampian said: “We are aware of 85 detected cases of Covid-19 associated with the Grandholm Care Home in Aberdeen. Cases have been detected amongst both staff and residents.

“The first case was detected in the home on January 8. A majority of resident cases were detected following repeated mass testing exercises.

“We are working alongside Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership to provide additional support and guidance to the home management team. Care continues to be provided to all residents as normal.”

A spokesperson for Grandholm Care Home said: “I can confirm that following an outbreak of coronavirus in the home, Grandholm Care Home is now closed to new admissions and non-essential visits, in line with Scottish Government guidance.

“We are working closely with all relevant authorities to contain the spread of the virus.

“Of the residents and staff who tested positive, the vast majority have shown either no symptoms, or mild symptoms only. A number of staff and residents have already completed the self-isolation perdion, and the remaining residents are due to complete isolation on Sunday.

“As soon as the first resident tested positive for the virus, we acted immediately to inform the relevant authorities and arrange for all residents to be tested.

“The next of kin of each resident who has tested positive for the virus have been informed, and we will continue to regularly test staff and residents and keep all relatives informed accordingly. In line with Scottish Government guidance, all affected team members are now self-isolating and the affected residents are being cared for in isolation.

“We continue to follow all Scottish Government and Health Protection Scotland advice in relation to infection prevention and control, and do everything in our power to safeguard the health and wellbeing of all residents and team members.”