Care home is locked down after 12 residents die from Covid while 18 more plus 30 staff test positive for the virus
A care home in Scotland has gone into lockdown after 12 of its residents died of Covid-19.
It is understood 30 residents at West Park Care Home in Glenrothes tested positive for the virus along with 21 staff members.
NHS Fife confirmed of those 12 people died and added management at the home is to be given 'advice' to reduce further transmissions.
Visitors have been banned from the 36-bedroom site which has temporarily closed to new admissions.
Twelve residents at West Park Care Home in Glenrothes died of Covid-19 while another 18 have tested positive
A spokesman for NHS Fife said: 'NHS Fife is aware of a cluster of confirmed COVID-19 cases associated with West Park Care Home in Leslie.
'A total of 30 residents have tested positive for the virus. A further 21 staff have also tested positive for COVID-19.
'Sadly, 12 people have died after contracting COVID-19 and our thoughts are with their loved ones at this difficult time.
'Visiting is currently suspended, and the care home is closed to new admissions.
'NHS Fife's Health Protection Team and the Fife Health and Social Care Partnership are working closely with Fife Council's Environmental Health Service to support the management of the care home and offer advice to reduce further transmission of the virus.'
The outbreak comes after a probe was yesterday promised into sixteen deaths at two care homes in Scottish Highlands town Inverdoon.
Ten people have died at Castle Gardens and six at Kintyre House since January 19.
A spokesman for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said: 'The investigation into the deaths, under the direction of the Covid-19 Deaths Investigation Team, is ongoing and the families will be updated in relation to any significant developments.'
What are the current rules for visiting care homes?
Care homes across the UK are still offering outdoor visiting and 'screened' visits during the lockdown.
Government guidance says these should always be an option because visits are 'crucially important for maintaining health and wellbeing and quality of life for residents'.
As well as maintaining social distance, visitors have to adhere to hand hygiene protocols and in some cases wear personal protective equipment including aprons, masks and gloves.
However, care homes can cancel outdoor and screened visits if there is an outbreak in the facility.
Families are only allowed in-person visits in exceptional circumstances, including seeing dying relatives.
This should continue even in the event of clusters within the homes, Number 10 says.
Relatives coming for in-person visits must be tested using rapid lateral flow devices, which give a result within half an hour.
Only after a negative result can the visit continue.