Easter Ross care home coronavirus outbreak a reminder of 'devastating impact' and the need to stay alert, says MSP
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A NEW coronavirus outbreak at an Easter Ross care home is a grim reminder of the "devastating impact" of the virus and the need to stay alert.
So said Ross-based MSP Maree Todd as a cluster at Mull Hall care home at Barbaraville was notified.
It follows outbreaks at Kintyre House and Castle Gardens in Invergordon, and Fodderty House near Dingwall.
Seventeen deaths of residents have been linked to coronavirus at Castle Gardens with eight at Kintyre House and five at Fodderty.
Scores of other residents and staff members have also tested positive.
And earlier this week, NHS Highland was notified of eight cases of Covid-19 in residents of Mull Hall and four amongst staff.
Its health protection team is carrying out enhanced monitoring of staff and residents.
Residents have completed the first round of vaccinations though protection may take two or more weeks to develop "and the extent to which vaccination prevents spread of Covid-19 is still unclear", NHS Highland says.
Contact tracing has been undertaken with the affected staff members and all cases are isolating. A support team has also been made available to help the owners of the home.
Mull Hall operator Sanctuary Care said it couldn't comment specifically on the medical condition of residents or staff, but confirmed some positive cases in the home and is in touch with the Scottish Government’s Health and Social Care Directorate. It is following public health guidance given to care homes.
A spokesman said: “We completely understand how worrying the pandemic remains for the families of everyone in our homes and can reassure them that the safety of their loved ones is always our absolute priority.”
MSP Maree Todd said: "I was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic deaths relating to Covid-19 in our care homes in Invergordon and Fodderty in recent weeks.Nothing will detract from the heartbreak of those bereaved and my thoughts are with the families and friends who we know will be feeling the heavy loss of loved ones. I know how keenly the loss will also be felt in close-knit Highland communities.
“I would like to pay tribute to all the care home staff for their compassionate and skilled work throughout the course of this pandemic – they are critical, front line staff and we owe them a great deal of gratitude.
“Unfortunately, this serves as a reminder of the devastating impacts of Covid-19. We are seeing a higher prevalence of the virus in the community this time around compared to the first wave last year. We need to do all we can to drive down community transmission. Staying at home is the single best of keeping ourselves and others safe.”
Cromarty Firth councillor Maxine Smith said she had briefed that Kintyre House is no longer considered as an outbreak and has reopened and will be open to phased admissions shortly. Castle Gardens continues to be managed as an outbreak. She has been told by NHS Highland that the immunisation programme has progressed.
She said: "In the wider community of the Cromarty Firth ward, infections have reduced considerably but the message is still to stay at home and do not mix.”
Related: Mounting death toll following outbreaks at care homes
