Covid infects 35 vaccinated staff and residents at care home

An outbreak of coronavirus has infected 35 residents and staff at a care home in Inverness where the first round of vaccine has already been administered.

NHS Highland is monitoring the situation at Meallmore Lodge care home near the village of Daviot where there are 17 cases of Covid-19 among residents and 18 cases in staff members.

A spokesperson for the health board said protection from the virus for those vaccinated can take two or more weeks to develop.

They said: “The extent to which vaccination prevents spread of Covid-19 is still unclear. “

The health board’s Health Protection Team is carrying out “enhanced monitoring” of staff and residents while working with local community nursing teams and the local GPs to help prevent the further spread of the virus.

A NHS Highland spokesperson said: “Contact tracing has been undertaken with the affected staff members and all cases are isolating in keeping with national guidance.

“Outbreak control measures are in place and the required infection, prevention and control measures have been reinforced.

“An NHS Highland support team has also been made available to assist the owners of the home.”

Meallmore Lodge said: “We can confirm that a number of residents and staff have tested positive for Covid-19. Through our support with the government vaccination programme, our residents all received the first dose of their vaccine earlier this month.

“The safety and well-being of our residents and staff is always our first priority. Everyone affected is currently isolating and we are following Health Protection Scotland guidance to ensure that everyone at Meallmore Lodge receives the best possible advice and care.

“Our staff team are following robust infection control practices and we are working hard to keep relatives up to date.”