Number of COVID-19 cases at Ross-shire care homes increase

Coronavirus cases at two Invergordon care homes and one in Dingwall have risen.

14 residents at Castle Gardens Care Home have now tested positive, an increase from seven confirmed on Sunday.

The number of cases at Kintyre House have also doubled, from 12 to 24.

A number of staff at each care home are self-isolating after also testing positive for COVID-19.

Cases among residents at Dingwall's Fodderty House have also climbed from seven to 13, with a number of staff also self-isolating.

NHS Highland say they're working with local health and social care colleagues, community nursing teams and General Practitioners to support the care homes.

A statement said: "All care homes across NHS Highland are being vaccinated as a priority.

"Most homes have already been vaccinated and the remainder will be complete by the end of next week.

"We are making arrangements to vaccinate staff and residents in the affected homes who have tested negative.

"Those who are positive will be vaccinated in one month in accordance with the guidance on vaccine use.

"We would also remind people in Easter Ross and across Highland of the importance of continuing to follow national guidance on social distancing, self-isolation and mixing indoors and we would highlight that the key public health message is to stay at home and only leave the house for essential purposes.

"If you, or someone you live with, develops symptoms then adhere to the national advice and stay at home. You can contact 111 if you are concerned about your condition or your symptoms worsen."

This comes as over 9,000 first dose vaccinations have been carried out across the NHS Highland area.

This includes care home residents and staff, staff who are working directly with COVID or suspected COVID patients, GPs and vaccinators.

However, the figure does not yet include the work being deployed through General Practice.

NHS Highland and Highland Council have thanked staff for their support in the fight against the virus.

NHS Highland Chair, Professor Boyd Robertson said: "Looking ahead, we expect to have finished first vaccinations in care homes by next week and over 80s and frontline health and care workers by early February.

"This represents around 30,000 vaccinations, so requires a considerable escalation in our delivery, which we are confident we can fulfil, with the help of the Council and other partners, as vaccine supplies increase."

Highland Council Leader, Councillor Margaret Davidson added: “The Highland Council is working closely with NHS Highland to support the vaccination programme across the region.

"The Council is actively looking at how we can support with access to buildings for vaccinations, fleet support, prioritising staff resource for key tasks and other practical support for our NHS partners to help make getting vaccinated easier.

"If more assistance is needed locally in vaccination centres or in helping people get to and from their appointment, we will contact those groups already offering their help to us.

"They have been amazing in the response they have provided already and we are very grateful to them.

“The Council’s property team is working hard with partners such as High Life Highland to ensure that community vaccination centres are made available.

“Our thanks go out to staff for their continued hard work and support in these increasingly difficult COVID times.”

Further information and advice on COVID-19 can be found at www.nhsinform.scot