Fife care home closed after deaths linked to Covid outbreak

A Fife care home has been closed to visitors and new admissions following an outbreak of coronavirus that has led to a number of deaths.

NHS Fife said 26 residents and 22 staff at Lomond Court Care Home in Glenrothes had tested positive for Covid-19.

In a statement, NHS Fife said: “Sadly, there has been loss of life connected to the cluster.

“For reasons of confidentiality we are unable to release any further information on this, however, we can confirm that the number is less than five. Our thoughts are with the bereaved at this time.”

An HC-One spokesperson for the home said: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with all families who have lost a loved one from coronavirus and we are doing our utmost to support them during this difficult time.

“We are working closely with our local health partners including NHS Fife to respond to the outbreak. We continue to implement our infection control measures and we have the staff, PPE and equipment needed to protect residents and colleagues.

“Our residents are our absolute priority and we are doing everything we can to support them to return to good health.”

NHS Fife’s Health Protection Team and the Fife Health and Social Care Partnership are working alongside Fife Council’s Environmental Health Service to provide support to the management of the care home.

The news comes after the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said it was investigating a number of deaths at two care homes in the north-east – Inchmarlo House, near Banchory, and Deeside Care Home in Cults.

Inchmarlo has reported 102 cases of the virus associated with the outbreak.