Covid in Scotland: Five residents die in Dumfries care home
- Published
A full decontamination has been carried out at the care home
Five residents of a care home in south-west Scotland have died following an outbreak of Covid-19.
The deaths were at the Charnwood Lodge Care Home in Dumfries.
The charity which runs the home, Community Integrated Care, said a full decontamination of the facility was carried out as soon as the outbreak was detected.
It paid tribute to the "efforts and professionalism" of staff in dealing with the situation.
Staff have been praised for their dedication in dealing with the outbreak
Martin McGuigan, managing director at CIC, said it had implemented a "number of additional robust infection control measures".
"We will continue to work closely with the local authority and public health teams to ensure that we are taking all necessary steps to protect everyone within the home and provide the practical and emotional support needed," he said.
A spokesman for Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership said it was a "very difficult and concerning situation" and praised the dedication of staff in their response.
'Highly transmissible'
"Work was undertaken to contain the spread of Covid-19, and this has not been an easy task against this highly infectious virus," he said.
"This outbreak has again demonstrated just how highly transmissible the Covid-19 virus is, even when the correct protocols are being observed."
Since the start of the pandemic, about half (1,986) of those who have died with coronavirus have died in care homes.
The latest Scottish government figures, external showed that, as of 14 October, 101 adult care homes (9%) had a current case of suspected Covid-19.
A total of 12 deaths of care home residents confirmed to have had Covid-19 were reported to the Care Inspectorate, external between 5 to 11 October - about 5% of all care home deaths in that period.
