Twelve dead and 51 infected in care home Covid outbreak

Twelve people have died following a coronavirus outbreak at a care home that had administered the first round of vaccine.

Thirty residents and a further 21 staff members have also tested positive for Covid-19 at West Park Care Home in Leslie, Fife.

NHS Fife’s health protection team and the Fife health and social care partnership have joined forces with the council’s environmental health service to support the home’s management to reduce further transmission of the deadly virus.

The health board said visiting has been suspended and the care home has been closed to new admissions.

Speaking about those who have died, NHS Fife said: “Our thoughts are with their loved ones at this difficult time.”

Earlier this month, the health board confirmed that the first round of Covid vaccinations had been carried out in all of the region’s 76 care homes.

Around 5000 residents and staff received their jab, alongside a further 7100 healthcare workers as part of efforts to maintain critical NHS services in Fife throughout winter.

Dona Milne, NHS Fife’s director of public health, said at the time: “We have made significant strides over recent weeks to protect those in Fife most vulnerable to the effects of Covid-19 and completing the first round of vaccinations in our care homes is an important milestone in these efforts.

“While this is really encouraging, it is vital that we do not become complacent.

“We know that the prevalence of Covid-19 in our communities has increased and we need local people to continue to follow the public health measures in place if we are to suppress the virus and reduce the numbers becoming seriously unwell with Covid-19.”