Six people suspected of having coronavirus have died at an Aberdeen care home, it is understood.
Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership (ACHSCP) confirmed a number of deaths at Kingswells Care Home were linked to the virus.
The Kingswood Drive facility is run by Aberdeen City Council’s arms-length company Bon Accord Care for ACHSCP.
There are 53 residents at the home, which was set up as a ground-breaking facility for people with dementia in 2018.
The deaths – the first of suspected Covid-19 within Bon Accord Care homes – were confirmed by managing director Alexis Chappell, who said: “Like many other care homes throughout the country, Kingswells Care Home has had a number of residents who have passed away with suspected Covid-19.
“Our heartfelt sympathies are with the families of those who have lost a loved one.
“We are doing everything we can to support our residents and our staff team.
“We care deeply about the residents who we support, their families, our staff, and the wider community.”
Ms Chappell said health, safety and well being remained the “top priority” and pledged to continue to offer support to families of those affected.
She added: “We are in regular contact with the Care Inspectorate, Health Protection Scotland, NHS Grampian and Aberdeen City Council.
“We have robust infection control in place throughout the home, which includes social distancing measures and isolation procedures for anyone showing symptoms of suspected Covid-19.
“We also have rigorous processes for using PPE at the home, along with thorough hygiene and cleanliness regimes.”
Bon Accord Care has set up a dedicated Covid-19 taskforce group to coordinate the organisation’s following of the latest guidelines and to monitor stock of PPE.
Meanwhile the UK Government announced it would open a regional coronavirus testing centre in Inverness for key workers.
The drive-through facility at Inverness Campus will operate on an appointment-only basis for NHS staff and other key workers.
It is part of a UK-wide drive to increase testing, with 35 testing sites already open- including at Aberdeen airport.
Frontline NHS staff will be the first to be given the self-administered swab tests, and results can be returned within days allowing for a faster return to work.
UK Government minister Douglas Ross added: “This new UK Government funded testing centre in Inverness will help key workers living in the area continue their vital work, helping to look after those who need it most.
The Moray MP said: “The UK Government has committed to expand our testing capacity right across the UK and this new centre is now one of four throughout Scotland.
“We will continue to work for everyone in the UK to save lives and protect our NHS.”
