A leading representative body has called for a stepping up of measures to protect care home residents in Scotland from covid-19, including increased testing.

Scottish Care, which represents the independent and voluntary care sector, says it is “imperative” there is a clear strategy to address the risk the virus poses to those living in care homes.

It points to international statistics, which suggests between 42% and 52% of all fatalities from coronavirus are likely to have been residents of care homes.

The call comes after an expert told MSPs on Holyrood’s health committee that anyone who enters a care home should be screened for the virus.

UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced the rolling out of testing for all care home staff and residents in England, even if they do not have symptoms.

The statement from Scottish Care says steps should be put in place to develop a strategy to “fully test” staff and residents in care homes which have not yet had any cases.

When a case of covid-19 is diagnosed in a care home, all staff and residents should be immediately tested, it says.

“This would enable appropriate action to be taken on isolation and nursing for residents and for staff to self-isolate.

“This will inevitably require additional staffing support for those care homes which are most affected.”

It also calls for all staff providing care – whether in care homes or someone’s own home – to wear face masks to reduce the transmission of the virus, even when not in direct contact.

The Scottish Government has advised that members of the public wear face coverings in situations such as shopping or using public transport.

The Scottish Care statement says: “If it is appropriate for face protection to be worn when citizens go shopping then within a care facility it seems equally important that face masks are worn when not in direct contact and that adequate face masks are worn within a two-metre distance.

“We recognise that for services which do not normally wear such masks this will be a massive increase in demand for PPE.

“It will be necessary for these increased costs to be addressed as a matter of urgency or care providers risk going out of business during this pandemic.”

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