TWO people have died after a suspected coronavirus outbreak at an East Kilbride care home.

Two further residents at Whitehills Care Home are suspected of contracting COVID-19 in recent days.

Care home bosses at Thisle Healthcare, which runs Whitehills, say the safety and wellbeing of staff and residents is their "absolute priority", with deliveries of PPE to the home being stepped up.

It comes after we told yesterday how five elderly residents at a care home in Drumchapel also died from an outbreak of the deadly virus.

A staff member at the facility, Almond Court, also is reportedly ill.

A spokeman for Whitehills Care Home confirmed two residents died over the Easter weekend - one with confirmed COVID-19 and the other with a suspected case of the disease. 

READ MORE: Five elderly residents die at Drumchapel care home after suspected coronavirus outbreak

He said: “Everyone at Whitehills care deeply about the health of our residents, but our thoughts are first and foremost with bereaved families, who are very much part of our care community. 

“Several weeks ago we introduced stringent measures to protect the safety and wellbeing of our residents and staff, which is our absolute priority at all times and especially now. 

“All residents have their own rooms, which allows us to limit contact with others very effectively.

"The other measures now in place include daily staff symptom checks; all staff with even mild symptoms asked to stay away from work; stopping routine visits from friends and family; staggered access to staff areas; staff in high-risk groups asked to self-isolate; upgraded cleaning practices, especially in-room and high-touch surfaces and common areas; closely monitored hand washing and use of hand sanitiser."

He added: “Our staff are doing an exceptional job in very difficult circumstances, and are working very hard to protect the wellbeing of the residents in their care. We’d like to extend our sincere appreciation to each one of them and to the families of our residents for their support and understanding.”

It comes after similar outbreaks reported at several other homes in Scotland.

Nine elderly residents reportedly died at Tranent Care Home in East Lothian; eight others died after showing symptoms at Castle View care home in Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire; and 13 residents died at Burlington Court care home in Glasgow.

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