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NHS Highland announces outbreaks of Covid-19 at two care homes; nineteen residents and and 'some staff members' have contracted the coronavirus at two independent sites in Invergordon, Ross-shire


By Philip Murray

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Coronavirus image.
Coronavirus image.

TWO Ross-shire care homes have had outbreaks of Covid-19, NHS Highland has confirmed.

Invergordon's Kintyre House Care Home and the town's Castle Gardens Care Home have both reported a cluster of cases.

There are 12 cases among residents at Kintyre House and seven residents have the virus at Castle Gardens.

NHS Highland added that "some staff members" at the two independent care homes have also been confirmed with the virus.

The local health authority said its Public Health Team were working with health and social care colleagues, as well as local community nursing teams and local GPs in Invergordon, to support the care homes and prevent any further spread of Covid-19 within the care homes and the wider community.

Enhanced monitoring and control measures are also being carried out at the two care homes to provide added support.

NHS Highland has also drafted in support staff to assist the homes while some of their staff are having to isolate.

Elisabeth Smart, NHS Highland Consultant in Public Health, said: “Unfortunately, we have seen from other parts of the country that when infection levels rise in the wider community that infection can spread into care homes.

“This local outbreak is clear evidence of how serious the present situation is for the Highlands as a whole. The number of cases of Covid-19 has increased significantly since Christmas and we all have a role to play to protect the most vulnerable members of our families and our communities.

“Please adhere to the regulations and guidance and minimise your contact with others.

“The measures that have been put in place will ensure that the outbreak is as contained as possible and we will continue to support both care homes until this outbreak is over and all those affected are no longer infectious.

“The key public health messages are to stay at home and only leave the house for essential purposes. If you, or someone you live with, develops symptoms then adhere to the national advice and stay at home.

“You can contact 111 if you are concerned about your condition or your symptoms worsen.”

Further information and advice on Covid-19 can be found at www.nhsinform.scot.

Related news: Overall Covid cases exceed 3000 in NHS Highland area


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