Deaths of 13 residents in seven days at Glasgow care home linked to outbreak
AN OUTBREAK of coronavirus at a care home in Glasgow has killed 13 residents in what is feared could be the tip of the iceberg in the social care sector.
It emerged yesterday that the deaths at the Burlington Court Care Home, which looks after up to 90 residents with complex medical needs, all occurred in the past seven days.
Two members of staff were admitted to separate hospitals where they are being treated for the disease.
Visits to the care home, run by the Four Seasons Health Care group, had been suspended as part of measures to protect residents, who suffer from ongoing medical conditions such as Huntington’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
The only exceptions remain for essential medical visits or for exceptional circumstances agreed in advance.
The deaths at Burlington Court have stunned staff and residents’ families. It will raise further concerns about the vulnerability of residents at thousands of care homes across the UK.
A senior care home industry source told The Sunday Telegraph: “I’m afraid we are going to see these sorts of deaths all too frequently going forwards. It is a massive problem, and the care home sector is particularly vulnerable due to the nature of its residents, who are not only elderly but frequently have underlying health issues.”
One insider at Burlington Court told
The Scotttish Sun: “It’s just so sad. How do you deal with something like this? The staff are doing their best to cope.”
All 13 fatalities at the care home have been linked to Covid-19, confirmed Four Seasons Health Care.
It said that tests had not been carried out on the deceased as they had not been admitted to hospitals, and therefore Covid-19 could not be confirmed. All those who died had underlying health conditions, and their families have been told of the possible link to coronavirus.
A spokesman for the group said: “With deep sadness we can confirm that 13 residents at Burlington Care Home have passed away over the past seven days. Our condolences are with the families and we are providing them with our ongoing support during this difficult time.
“The passing of a loved one is always traumatic irrespective of the circumstances. Within the home, the focus of the team continues to be the ongoing care and protection of all our residents and our colleagues, two of whom are currently being treated for coronavirus.”
Four Seasons Health Care said staff at Burlington Care Home had access to personal protective equipment and had received the support of GPs and public health bodies.
The spokesman added: “Our strict protocols on infectious diseases are in place, including social distancing, and we are closely monitoring the health of the other residents and colleagues. In these exceptional circumstances we are sincerely grateful for the dedication of our colleagues and can assure our residents and their families that we are putting all our resources and energy into supporting and protecting everyone in our homes.”
The Care Inspectorate said: “We are aware of the tragic death of residents at this care home as a result of Covid-19. Our thoughts are with the loved ones of those affected as well as the staff and wider community of the home.
“We have been notified of the circumstances and we are in contact with the care service and the local health and social care partnership during this difficult time.
“All of Scotland’s social care sector is working under very difficult circumstances to care for people during the pandemic and the Care Inspectorate is doing all it can to support them.”
The deaths come amid continuing concerns over the vulnerability of residents in care homes during the coronavirus pandemic and the shortage of personal protective equipment for staff looking after them. It emerged last week that staff at nursing homes are being left desperately short of vital protective equipment as supplies are diverted to the NHS.
‘It’s just so sad. How do you deal with something like this?’