Covid in Scotland: 'Major incident' stood down at Inchmarlo care home

A major incident was declared by health officials in charge of tackling an ongoing outbreak of coronavirus at an Aberdeenshire care home.

However the decision about Inchmarlo Care Home on Monday evening was then stood down when "extra support" was found.

Declaring a major incident allows options such as calling in military medical support.

It is understood there have been several deaths at the home.

NHS Grampian and Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership said there had been 84 positive cases at the home and confirmed that staff have been deployed to help support the care for residents.

In a statement, they concluded: "The home is closed to new admissions and visiting and staff have implemented an enhanced cleaning regime"

A spokeswoman for Inchmarlo Care Home said: "We are not able to comment on reports of deaths at this time, due to the need for privacy of all residents and out of respect for all families, with whom we are in frequent communication."

Meanwhile, Deeside Care Home in Cults said there had been deaths after a number of staff and residents there tested positive for coronavirus.

"It is with great sadness that some of the residents who tested positive for Covid-19 have subsequently passed away", a statement said.

"Their families have been advised and we extend our deepest sympathy to everyone who has lost a loved one."

The incident management team said the current total of Covid cases was 52.

It follows an announcement from Scotland's Health Secretary Jeane Freeman that care home residents will be able to receive the Pfizer Covid vaccine from 14 December.

There had been fears that homes would not be able to receive the first batch of doses due to logistical challenges.