A DAD-OF-TWO has died after contracting Covid-19 while working in a Glasgow care home where at least six elderly residents passed away and a number of other staff have fallen ill.
The owners of Wyndford Locks Care Home, in Maryhill, have paid tribute to the “much loved” 64-year-old worker, who was a long-standing employee and was praised for his "great kindness, humour and dedication to residents."
It is the first Covid-19 death to be confirmed of a care home worker in Glasgow.
The man is believed to have died last week. He suffered from diabetes but was said to be “fit and well” and has two young children.
The Glasgow Times has not named the worker to respect the wishes of his family.
READ MORE: Erskine Care Homes reveal 24 confirmed or suspected care home deaths
Nicola Sturgeon revealed earlier this week that 11 NHS staff and carers in Scotland have died with coronavirus since the start of the pandemic.
The employee who died worked in the Garscube unit of the 120-bed home, where six elderly residents are understood to have contracted the virus and later died.
A care home source claims that managers of the home, which is run by the HC-One group, failed to protect staff by downplaying the number of infections.
He also claimed that workers with underlying health conditions were being put under pressure to continue working.
He said: “Staff feel that management are hiding the true extent in home and are putting residents and staff at risk.
“Several vulnerable staff with health problems are not getting support or advice to stay away for 12 weeks and instead have been given risk assessments.
“A staff member spent time in hospital on oxygen with coronavirus is thankfully now at home but not well enough to return to work.
“She will only receive £66 a week to survive despite rumours from other staff that any positive tests would receive full pay.”
A spokesman for HC-One confirmed the deaths of a “small number” of residents and said others were currently receiving treatment for the virus in hospital.
He said a number of employees were also currently unwell after testing positive for Covid-19 and said that the company had secured the medical equipment, PPE, and supplies to protect staff and residents.
He said: “We are deeply saddened to confirm that a much-loved and long-standing colleague has sadly passed away from coronavirus.
“They will be fondly remembered for their great kindness, humour and dedication to our residents.
“They believed that residents deserved the very best in all things; a belief that shone through all their work and that was exemplified by their courage, compassion and selflessness throughout the coronavirus outbreak.
“They will be hugely missed by everyone Wyndford Locks, and all our thoughts and sympathies are with their family at this exceptionally difficult time.”
He added that any staff shielding for 12-weeks would be furloughed on 80% of their salary while those testing positive would be entitled to contractual sick pay.
A spokesman for the Care Inspectorate said: “We are aware of the tragic deaths of residents at this care home as a result of suspected cases of Covid-19."
More than 100 NHS and care staff across the UK have died with the virus, as have many other key workers, and a minute’s silence was held for them on Tuesday.
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