Nine residents die of suspected coronavirus at care home

Nine residents at a care home in West Dunbartonshire have died of suspected coronavirus.

Another 16 people living at the Hill View residential facility in Clydebank are showing Covid-19 symptoms as well as one confirmed case.

There are 127 residents living at the care home.

A spokesman from operator Advinia said: “We are saddened to confirm that nine residents have passed away since the start of April after displaying symptoms consistent with coronavirus disease.

“Every death is a great loss and our most heartfelt condolences go to each resident’s family and friends – they are all in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time.

“Regrettably, like many care homes across the country, we are now seeing an increase in cases of Covid-19 as the virus reaches its peak.

“As of today, there are currently 16 residents in the home who are displaying symptoms consistent with the virus and one confirmed case.

“Each of these residents is being barrier nursed by our dedicated and compassionate teams.”

Weekly figures published by the National Records of Scotland revealed this week that a quarter of all coronavirus-linked deaths in Scotland have occurred in care homes.

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.

There are 433 care homes across Scotland which have recorded a case of coronavirus since the beginning of the outbreak.

The latest deaths come as the boss of another care home where nine residents died with Covid-19 criticised the Scottish Government over a lack of testing.

The Newark Care facility in Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire, said no staff or residents had been tested, despite repeated requests.

Chief executive Jack Ryan has now written to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon outlining his concerns after she announced on Wednesday all symptomatic staff and residents in care homes would be tested.

He wrote: “You stated that it is standard practice for testing of early cases to be carried out within care homes.

“You need to be aware that despite having now lost nine residents whose deaths have been reported as coronavirus-related, there has been no testing at any point.”

Mr Ryan added: “We have asked repeatedly for testing, from the first instance and for every case which developed in the days that followed.”

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 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.