A Fife care home boss has confirmed the deaths of 14 residents in one home are being linked to coronavirus.
Days after refusing to comment on the tragedy, Kingdom Homes managing director Colin Smart revealed six people had died at Methven House in Kirkcaldy since the start of April, after testing positive for the virus.
A further eight residents who were not tested are believed to have died of Covid-19, he said.
Mr Smart said six members of staff had also tested positive but that all had either recovered or were recovering.
It comes after The Courier asked the home to confirm reports in the community about an outbreak at the site last week.
“We have offered our heartfelt condolences to each one of our families who have lost a loved one,” he said.
“We have never been more humbled and proud of our amazing teams who have collectively gone above and beyond to care for their residents in what are truly exceptional circumstances.”
Mr Smart’s comments came after Fife Labour MSP called on all private care home providers to come clean on the number of coronavirus deaths in their facilities amid concerns of an “unfolding nightmare” in the region.
Alex Rowley said he was struggling to see who was responsible for ensuring the overall safety of privately-run care homes and questioned why health and social care staff were not routinely tested for the virus.
He has also called for more support for “stressed and frightened” staff.
“I am keen to know the clear lines of responsibility,” Mr Rowley said.
“There is a clear need for full transparency on these issues given the nightmare that is unfolding in Fife care homes.”
Health secretary Jeane Freeman said the Scottish Government’s capacity to intervene in the practices of private care homes was limited.
She also announced that routine testing of health and social care staff in Scotland had not been ruled out.
“Since the weekend, enhanced outbreak investigations are being carried out in care homes where there has been a confirmed case of covid-19,” she said.
“In these instances, all residents and staff are offered testing whether they are symptomatic or not.
“The enhanced outbreak investigations also include other homes if that facility is part of a group or chain.
“There is also sample testing at care homes where there have been no cases as part of our surveillance work.”
Ms Freeman said guidance had been issued to all care homes on March 13 to ensure residents were looked after in their own rooms and that appropriate infection prevention and control measures were in place.
