Four deaths at Daviot care home following COVID-19 outbreak

Four residents at a care home near Inverness have died following an outbreak of COVID-19.

Meallmore Lodge in Daviot have confirmed the deaths as a total of 75 residents and staff have tested positive for coronavirus.

This comes after an outbreak at the care home was confirmed on January 28th.

A spokesperson for the care home said: "Meallmore Lodge residents and staff were vaccinated against COVID-19 with their first dose in January.

"However, during a recent outbreak, a total of 38 residents and 37 staff have tested positive for COVID-19.

"The majority of these residents and staff have been asymptomatic, and many have since recovered.

"Sadly, four of our residents have died and our thoughts and condolences are with their family and friends during this very difficult time. Currently we have 19 residents and 17 staff members who are isolating because they are COVID-19 positive.

“This is, of course, a very worrying situation for families of residents and staff, and we continue to do everything we can to support them to return to good health.

"We are taking all steps to minimise the spread of the virus including caring for residents in their rooms, continuing to restrict staff movement, focusing on high standards of infection control and we have an enhanced level of testing in place.

“We are in contact with the next of kin of our residents, and we are grateful for their ongoing support and understanding. We are very proud of our colleagues and how they have shown huge dedication and commitment to our residents.

“With a combination of our own team supported by our trusted local agencies, we continue to maintain appropriate levels of cover across the home to ensure the wellbeing, comfort and safety of our residents.

"The home continues to be well supplied with the medical equipment and PPE needed to protect residents and colleagues alike. We have robust infection control practices in place, and we are working extremely closely with our local health partners as we respond to the outbreak."

Speaking when the outbreak was confirmed last month, NHS Highland outlined how protection against the virus may take weeks to develop.

A spokesman said: "Protection for an individual following vaccination may take two or more weeks to develop and the extent to which vaccination prevents spread of COVID-19 is still unclear.

"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."