A Skye care home has become the epicentre of the island’s coronavirus outbreak as a total of 54 patients and staff test positive.
Portree’s Home Farm Care Home has experienced a “significant” rise in cases in recent days following initial reports of an outbreak less than a week ago.
A total of 28 of the home’s 34 residents have now tested positive alongside half the facility’s 52-strong workforce.
During Scotland’s daily press briefing, national clinical director Jason Leitch warned about “reading too much into small numbers” and said it could be dangerous.
He said: “We know that over interpretation of regional data, particularly when it is small, is a dangerous thing.
“So we should be very cautious in reading too much into small numbers of cases in small areas.
“We do know, globally, that the virus prefers dense populations. The virus spreads more rapidly – that’s why social distancing is the key public health measure, along with hand-washing.”
Meanwhile, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said she would continue to ensure Scottish communities had the relevant resources to fight the virus.
She said: “As health secretary I’m very focused on ensuring that every part of our country, regardless of whether it is a remote or rural community, the north or the south of Scotland, the central belt or islands, that all of them have the resources, in terms of staffing or otherwise, to do the job that we are asking them to do.”
The outbreak marks the island’s first confirmed cases of the deadly virus since the pandemic began back in January.
Enhanced monitoring measures are now being implemented at the independent care facility in the island’s capital to help contain the spread of the disease.
Health officials from NHS Highland’s Public Health Team are working closely with the Highland Council, fellow health and social care colleagues, local nursing teams and Portree General Practitioners to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Director of public health at NHS Highland, doctor Ken Oates, said: “There is no evidence at this stage that Covid infection has spread further into the community.
“The assessment centre in Portree and local GPs are not reporting an increase of cases. The measures that have been put in place will support us in ensuring, as best as we can, that the outbreak is as contained as possible.”
Additional staff have also been drafted in by the home to help deal with the outbreak, as half of their workforce remains in isolation.
Highland Council chief executive Donna Manson added: “This is bound to be a very worrying time for residents, staff and their families and for the local community.
“The council will continue to work closely with NHS Highland and other agencies to do everything possible to mitigate the risks to all concerned.”
MP Ian Blackford said the alliance has shown remarkable leadership in responding to the outbreak which has “shaken” the community.
Having such an outbreak as we have on Skye is shocking and worrying. By supporting the NHS and our care staff, by protecting all our frontline workers, and by taking all necessary hygiene steps we can contain the spread of this virus and do our bit to save lives.
— Ian Blackford (@Ianblackford_MP) May 3, 2020
He added: “Covid-19 is an invisible virus that can strike any community and it has now become a reality for those of us who live on the Island of Skye.
“Our thoughts are with all those who have the virus, their family and friends.
“Critically, contact tracing is going to be an important part of our capability in dealing with the outbreak of Covid-19, this will be a vital part of NHS Highland’s response.”
