Prosecutors probe deaths after Covid-19 outbreak at Fife care home

Prosecutors are investigating a series of deaths after a Covid-19 outbreak at a Fife care home.

A total of 19 people are now confirmed to have died after testing positive for coronavirus at Lomond Court Care Home in Glenrothes.

A spokesperson for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has confirmed to Kingdom FM that several of those are under investigation.

The spokesperson said: "The procurator fiscal has received reports in connection with the deaths of 17 people at Lomond Court Care Home, Glenrothes.

"The investigation into the deaths is ongoing and the families will continue to be kept updated in relation to any significant developments."

COPFS has established a dedicated Covid-19 deaths investigation team in the wake of the pandemic, and says it works with other agencies to ensure that appropriate investigations into deaths take place.

It will decide whether a death, or deaths, should be the subject of a fatal accident inquiry or prosecution.

A total of 31 residents and 40 staff members at Lomond Court have tested positive for the virus during the outbreak.

NHS Fife officials are now working to support the management of the care home in an attempt to reduce further transmission.

The home remains closed to new admissions.

Dr Esther Curnock, NHS Fife's deputy director of public health, said: "We can confirm there have been further cases of Covid-19 associated with Lomond Court Care Home and our hearts go out to those who have lost loved ones at such a difficult time.

"Covid-19 is particularly infectious in older adults and care homes across Fife are working incredibly hard to try and prevent clusters of Covid-19 from developing.

"Alongside our colleagues in Fife Council and the Fife Health and Social Care Partnership, we are assisting care home managers in any way we can to prevent spread and ensure that residents continue to receive a good standard of care."

A spokesperson for the care home's operator, HC One, said: "Our thoughts and sympathies are with all families who have lost a loved one from coronavirus and we are doing our utmost to support them during this difficult time. Our residents become part of our family and their loss is felt deeply by carers who have built relationships with them over many years.

"We are doing everything we can to support our residents to return to good health and they are our absolute priority. The home continues to be well supplied with the resources they need to respond to the outbreak and we are working closely with our local health partners including NHS Fife."