An Angus care home battling a major outbreak of Covid-19 is being assessed on a daily basis, health officials say.
NHS Tayside is providing 81-bed South Grange Nursing Home with “direct clinical support” after it was hit by at least 16 deaths.
It is understood the Scottish Government has not directly intervened at the home, despite the high death toll.
The large complex provides 24-hour nursing care for elderly frail residents, as well as expert care for young clients with serious conditions.
These include people with acquired brain injuries, neurological disorders and residents who need to be ventilated.
A spokesperson for NHS Tayside said the regular GP as well as a senior nurse have visited the property on “several occasions”.
She added that residents and staff have been sent for testing “where appropriate” in a bid to bring the outbreak under control.
The Scottish Government has pledged to provide testing for all residents and staff at homes where there has been at least one confirmed case.
It is understood the roll out has started in phases but testing is already taking place in homes where there is an outbreak.
It also says a specially-formed Care Home Rapid Action Group has been set-up to co-ordinate the response to outbreaks.
The operators of two of the hardest-hit homes in Dundee and Angus, Pitkerro Care Centre in Dundee, run by Hundson Healthcare and South Grange, run by Barchester, said they would not comment on whether all staff and residents have been tested yet.
Ten residents and a nurse, Johanna Daniels, are known to have died at Pitkerro but Hudson Healthcare said it was no longer publicly disclosing figures.
A spokesperson for NHS Tayside said: “The Health Protection Team is in contact with South Grange Nursing Home every day to assess and advise on infection control precautions, physical distancing, staffing, training and testing.
“Angus Health and Social Care Partnership (AHSCP) is providing direct clinical support to the South Grange Nursing Home.
“The regular GP has visited the care home on several occasions to clinically assess patients and has been referring patients for testing where appropriate.
“The AHSCP lead nurse is also in touch with the manager of the care home on a regular basis to ensure the staff have adequate supplies of PPE and understand the latest guidance from Health Protection Scotland.
“The AHSCP lead nurse, GP and NHS Tayside Health Protection Team all continue to have ongoing dialogue with the care home management team so any questions or concerns can be addressed as quickly as possible.”
