Operators of a north-east care home have confirmed three other residents died last month of suspected coronavirus.
Earlier this week, it emerged four residents at Crimond House had died from the virus.
Now operators Meallmore have admitted there were three other deaths last month which were recorded as suspected or presumed Covid-19.
A spokeswoman said it was not possible to confirm the cases as they had occurred before testing was made available to care home residents and staff.
Last night, there were renewed calls for transparency in the sector and 100% testing to be quickly rolled out for all those in care homes.
On Monday, Health Seceretary Jeane Freeman announced care home workers will be repeatedly tested for Covid-19.
North East MSP Peter Chapman said: “I’m deeply concerned by the situation currently faced at the nursing home and every measure must be put in place to prevent more deaths.
“My thoughts go to the families, friends and staff of those who have been affected – everyone in the village will be devastated.
“The Scottish Government need to realise only 100% testing will do – it needs to be universal.”
Families of those living at the Crimond home also claimed they had been unaware of the coronavirus-related deaths.
A spokeswoman for Meallmore insisted the home was in “regular contact with relatives” and said staff had to respect confidentiality.
She said: “As part of this correspondence, we advised relatives that we were unable to share individual resident information, but to be assured that families of residents affected would be kept fully informed in respect of their relative’s care and support.
“We maintained full contact with the families of any resident with coronavirus, providing regular updates, answering questions, and being as informative as possible.”
She added that as of Saturday, tests had been carried out and Health Protection Scotland confirmed that all current residents have tested negative. Relatives have been informed.
“Our absolute priority has been minimising the outbreak of Covid-19 and protecting the health and safety of our residents and staff,” she said.
“We are proud of the hard work and dedication of our team which has resulted in the home now being free from any cases.”
Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson said his thoughts were with the families of all those involved, and urged people to heed the guidelines.
“This tragic outbreak has shown how Covid-19 can strike any community and how important it remains to stick to the Scottish Government advice to stay at home in order to stop the spread of this terrible virus.
“I can assure you that we are all standing as one to leave no stone unturned in our efforts to fight this virus and ensure the best support and protection is in place to contain the outbreak.”
Peterhead North and Rattray councillor Iain Sutherland added: “It’s really heartbreaking to hear that people have lost their parents and grandparents. News like this brings home how close the virus is. It had felt far away, but now it’s among us all.”
Today, care operators HC One will appear at Inverness Sheriff Court as the Care Inspectorate attempts to strip its licence for Home Farm Care Home in Skye.
Ten residents of the home have died from coronavirus, with a further 29 testing positive along with 27 staff.
Yesterday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon indicated she will examine the issue of care home death numbers adding that it was “very important” there was transparency on the issue.
“I’m always prepared to look into any issues that are raised,” she said.
“I don’t want to say too much about the specific cases. There will be ongoing processes under way between that care home – or any care home with an outbreak – and the local health protection teams and when appropriate the involvement of the care inspectorate.
“But it is really important we do have transparency around numbers of deaths in care homes or in any other settings… we will continue to try to provide as much data and as much information as possible.”
Meanwhile, a new report published today has claimed care home deaths during the pandemic are the “single greatest failure of the Scottish Parliament” since devolution.
Common Weal’s report outlines “failures” leading to the death toll in Scotland’s care homes.
National Records of Scotland statistics show more than 1,400 (45%) of coronavirus-related deaths have been in such facilities.
The report notes that in 2016 the UK government carried out a pandemic planning exercise, and none of the recommendations were implemented.
It claims the Care Inspectorate having few enforcement powers, private providers cutting down on training and services to reduce costs, and provision of PPE in care homes all contributed to the higher death toll.
Report author Nick Kempe wrote: “The nature of the deaths of care home residents was not taken to be a government responsibility and so the use of palliative measures was also left to providers.
“This almost certainly means many old people faced an absolutely unnecessarily uncomfortable and painful death.”
He added he hopes the report shows the individual tragedies “now being played out in Scotland’s care homes are no accident but a consequence of the state abandoning responsibility for the welfare of its citizens”.
Mr Kempe continued: “To redress the disaster we need not just guidance but action from the Scottish Government.”
