Sixteen residents die after Covid-19 outbreak at care home

Sixteen residents at a South Ayrshire care home have died following an outbreak of Covid-19.

A spokesman for Berelands Care Home in Prestwick said: “It is with profound sadness that we can confirm the deaths of 16 residents since April 4.

“Of those, four tested positive for Covid-19, and 12 are suspected to have died of Covid-19 related symptoms.”

The spokesman said two further residents have tested positive, and are being cared for at the home.

“Our deepest sympathies are with the bereaved families at this very difficult time and we offer them our continued support,” the spokesperson said.

“We are working tirelessly to care for the residents in our home and we continue to follow all government guidance.

“Our team are all trained in infection prevention and control, including utilising the correct level of PPE for the protection of both residents and themselves. We continue to work closely with NHS Ayrshire and Arran,” the spokesperson added.

The Care Inspectorate said it was aware of the deaths at Berelands as a result of suspected cases of Covid-19.

“We have been notified of the circumstances and we are in contact with the care service and the local health and social care partnership during this difficult time,” the watchdog said in a statement.

“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,” the statement added.

The news comes just a few hours after it was revealed that the number of deaths involving coronavirus in Scotland has risen to more than 1000.

As of last Sunday, April 12, total registered deaths where Covid-19 was cited on the death certificate numbered 962.

The weekly figures from the National Records of Scotland (NRS) include suspected and confirmed coronavirus cases as well as those who died in the community.

A total of 62% of deaths were in hospitals, 25% of deaths were in care homes and 13% were at home or in a community setting.

A total of 433 care homes across Scotland have recorded a case of coronavirus since the beginning of the outbreak.

Among the confirmed deaths recorded at care homes since the Covid-19 outbreak began are:

There has been an unconfirmed number of deaths at the following care homes.

The Care Inspectorate said it was also aware of deaths at Meigle Country House in Blairgowrie and Whitehills Care Home in East Kilbride.

Furthermore, six cases of coronavirus were reported at Highgate in Uddingston.