Care home Covid outbreaks in Ross-shire have infected more than 50 residents, NHS Highland has revealed

COVID outbreaks at three Ross care homes have now infected 51 residents and "a number of staff members", NHS Highland has confirmed.

Twenty-four residents have contracted the virus at Kintyre House Care Home in Invergordon, while Castle Gardens Care Home in the same town has had 14 confirmed cases among its residents.

And Fodderty Care Home, near Dingwall, has now reported 13 cases among its residents, and a number of staff are self-isolating.

The health board has also reminded the public in Easter Ross of the dangers posed by the virus, and the importance of sticking to national pandemic rules - amid a wider hotspot of cases in the area.

In the seven days to January 11, Invergordon had 61 confirmed infections, while neighbouring Alness had 66. The two towns were home to more than a quarter of all coronavirus infections diagnosed across the Highland Council area over that seven day period.

Dingwall had 21 new cases over those seven days.

NHS Highland said it is “making arrangements” to vaccinate the residents and staff who have not yet been infected at the three homes.

It added that its Public Health Team is continuing to work with local health and social care colleagues, community nursing teams and GPs to support the care homes.

A spokesman 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.”

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

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