A TOTAL of 406 Scottish care homes have reported suspected cases of Covid–19, it has emerged.

The government revealed the figure today, following pressure by the media, politicians and families and said that from Wednesday local death rates will be made available as well as a weekly update of cases.

It follows a plea by Shadow health secretary Miles Briggs calling on health secretary Jeane Freeman to reveal the death tally. 

The Glasgow Times asked the Care Inspectorate today for the total number of cases in the city but the care regulator refused to disclose the figure.

It comes after 16 people died at Burlington Court Care Home in Glasgow and eight deaths at Castleview Care Home in Dumbarton.

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Other care homes have refused to issue numbers citing data protection laws.

It has emerged that elderly people died after contracting coronavirus at a Glasgow care home next to another owned by the same company where staff raised concerns about social distancing adherence.

The parent company of Almond Court care home in Drumchapel refused to confirm the exact number of deaths but said it was “significantly fewer” than the figure of 11 that was passed on to the Glasgow Times.

A 51-year-old employee who works at the neighbouring Almond View care home raised concerns about the company’s adherence to social distancing rules and the supply of personal protective equipment.

The care worker, who did not wish to be named, said that she had observed taxis taking workers to Almond Court.

She added: “It is a total scandal.”

A spokesman for Holmes Care, which owns both Almond View and Almond Court, acknowledged people had died in the care home due to coronavirus but said the company would not supply an exact figure.

He said: “The welfare of our residents and team members is our foremost priority, and we are doing everything we can to keep them safe throughout these challenging times.

“We have robust infection control procedures in place throughout our home, which have been approved by the relevant authorities. This includes exercising social distancing, and we have a good supply of PPE.

“We will not be commenting in the media on the number of residents who have suspected coronavirus, nor the number who have sadly passed away. However, we can confirm that it is significantly fewer than the number supplied."

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A Scottish Government spokesperson said:" As of today, 406 care homes have notified the care inspectorate of suspected cases of Covid–19 and the Scottish Government will set that figure out weekly.

"From Wednesday, NRS, whose figures already include those who have sadly died in our care homes, will break down the numbers of deaths by where they have taken place, for example how many have taken place in care homes, how many in hospitals and how many at home.

“Before publishing figures on the numbers of suspected cases in Care Homes the Scottish Government want to work with the Care Inspectorate to ensure those figures would be robust and that work is underway.”