Reports that second person has died following Covid-19 outbreak at Skye care home; 57 people are understood to have been infected with coronavirus
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A SECOND person is reported as having died as a result of a Covid-19 outbreak on Skye.
Earlier today, HC-One, which runs the Home Farm care home in Portree, announced that 29 of its 34 residents and 27 staff had tested positive for the coronavirus – one of whom sadly passed away.
But there are fresh reports tonight that the death toll from the care home's outbreak has risen to two. The number of residents who have contracted the virus is also understood to have risen to 30.
Speaking before reports of a second death emerged, HC-One said its "thoughts and sympathies" were with the relatives of the deceased.
A mobile testing unit has been set-up on the island to help with efforts to track and trace people who may have come into contact with those affected.
Earlier today, the Scottish Government's health secretary, Jeane Freeman, used the daily coronavirus briefing to highlight measures that were being taken to try to contain the care home outbreak.
These included measures to isolate residents in their rooms while medical professionals carried out assessments.
Speaking earlier this afternoon, local MP Ian Blackford – who also lives on the island - praised the "vast majority" of islanders who were sticking to government lockdown measures but warned that a "hard battle" lay ahead in tackling the hotspot moving forward.
Posting on Twitter, he said: "I want to thank the vast majority of people who are adhering to the lockdown measures on Skye.
"It is important to be honest though and we must ensure now our efforts are renewed as there is a hard battle ahead. We must do all we can to protect each other on Skye and beyond."
He has also praised NHS Highland and Highland Council for their "remarkable leadership" in responding to the wider pandemic.
