54 infected at island care home

MORE than 50 residents and staff at a care home have tested positive for Covid-19.

The Home Farm care home on Skye has disclosed that 28 of its 34 residents have the coronavirus, along with 26 of its 52 staff.

No deaths have been reported at the Portree care home but staff have been told to self-isolate for seven days, while their families must do so for two weeks.

A Highland Council spokesman said: ‘So far, a significant number of care home residents and staff have been confirmed positive with Covid-19. As part of this work, the Health Protection Team are carrying out enhanced monitoring of those affected.

‘Every member of staff who has tested positive has been conall tacted and asked to self-isolate for seven days and their household contacts have been asked to self-isolate for 14 days as per national guidance.

‘We have also reinforced the infection control measures they need to take during this time.’

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford, MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber, said: ‘My thoughts are with all of those who are infected and I know the entire community of Skye will want to rally round and offer support to all of those affected.

‘Testing and contact tracing will be important as we all seek to see the control and eradication of this outbreak on Skye and of us on the island have our part to play in this.’

The NHS has established a testing facility in Portree, and from today the Army will be carrying out testing at Broadford fire station. It will be available daily between 10am and 6pm.

The island’s Nationalist MSP Kate Forbes said: ‘This is obviously a very anxious time for residents and employees, and their friends and family.

‘The primary objectives are to care for those who have tested positive and to limit the spread of the virus further. The mobile testing unit is on Skye, in order to ensure as many people can be tested as possible.

‘I have spoken to NHS Highland and to the Highland Council to ensure there are adequate supplies of PPE, which there are. I am grateful to our frontline staff, who are working incredibly hard to protect us.’

The facility is run by HC-One and offers nursing and nursing memory care for dementia sufferers. Home Farm has also put on extra staff and an NHS Highland support team has been made available to assist at the home.

Dr Ken Oates, director of public health at NHS Highland, said: ‘There is no evidence at this stage that Covid infection has spread further into the community.

‘The Assessment Centre in Portree and local GPs are not reporting an increase of cases.

‘The measures that have been put in place will support us in ensuring, as best as we can, that the outbreak is as contained as possible.’

‘Limit the spread of the virus further’