At least 20 Perth and Kinross care home residents claimed by virus

A total of 20 residents have died of coronavirus at care homes across Perth and Kinross, it has emerged.

A further four residents are believed to have died at a single care home but their deaths have not been recorded as they were not tested.

The 20 fatalities occurred at six facilities in the local authority area, according to the latest figures from National Records Scotland.

A report on coronavirus deaths in Perth and Kinross was put before the Integration Joint Board on Friday.

It states: “These deaths have occurred across six care homes, the care homes involved have shown a high level of commitment to their residents during this time and demonstrated considerable resilience and dedication at what must have been an incredibly difficult time for them.”

A total of 21 care homes were closed at some stage during the pandemic, with nine currently reopened following a confirmed or suspected outbreak. Of the 12 still closed, five chose to close and have not accepted admissions during Covid-19. Of the other seven shut facilities, one has a confirmed active outbreak of coronavirus while the others have had unconfirmed cases or previously confirmed cases but staff are still being referred for testing.

The Scottish Government figures show 62 people lost their lives to Covid19 across the local authority.

Five died at home while 37 lost their lives at medical and prison institutions.

The Courier understands two of these fatalities were in the dementia ward at Murray Royal Hospital. Two deaths were confirmed at HMP Perth.

The first two deaths recorded in Perth and Kinross were on the week beginning March 23.

The most fatalities in a week, 13, were in the week starting on April 20.

The latest figures show that on the week beginning May 11, eight people died from coronavirus in Perth and Kinross.

These deaths have occurred across six care homes. REPORT BEFORE INTEGRATION JOINT BOARD