The number of Covid-19 cases identified at Craigie House in Crossgates, a care home owned by Kingdom Homes, has risen to 37. Since the outbreak was announced earlier this month, when 25 cases amongst staff and residents were identified, a further 12 cases at the care home have tested positive.
Visiting at the home, which was previously criticised for weak Covid protection measures, remains suspended.
NHS Fife’s health protection team and Fife health and Social Care Partnership have been working with Fife Council’s Environmental Health Department to support the management and offer advice to reduce further transmission of the virus.
An NHS spokesperson said: “It is extremely important that those intending to visit residents in any care home refrain from doing so if they feel unwell or have any of the known symptoms of Covid-19, such as a high temperature; a new, continuous cough; or a loss or change to the sense of smell or taste.”
News of the outbreak comes after the management at Craigie House were instructed to make urgent improvements after the Care Inspectorate rated its Covid-19 measures “weak” following an unannounced inspection at the end of August. Concerns were raised about infection control practices, including the need for enhanced cleaning schedules and for visitors to have their temperatures recorded, and to fill out a medical questionnaire before entry.
Kingdom Homes, which provides care for up to 30 people at Craigie House, said at the time of publication of the Care Inspectorate report in September that all the requirements would be met in advance of a follow-up inspection.
