It has been revealed that 37 percent of Scottish care homes are reporting cases of the potentially deadly coronavirus.
The news comes as nine elderly people were killed by the virus in a care home in Tranent, East Lothian.
It has also been reported that two people residing in North Care Manor in Edinburgh were killed after contracting COVID-19.
At a Scottish Government press conference, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman confirmed that coronavirus is present in 406 care homes across Scotland.
So far in Scotland, 13 people have died at a care home in Glasgow, eight residents in a home in Dumbarton, nine residents in Tranent and two in an Edinburgh care home.
Former nurse, Ms Freeman announced that all social care workers would receive a pay rise of 3.3 percent, backdating from April 1.
The health secretary said: “Scotland’s dedicated social care workers are on the front line of our national pandemic response.
"Their work is always hugely valued, and never more so than now
“The measures we are announcing in partnership with Cosla today will ensure all people providing adult social care receive the real living wage for every hour worked with immediate effect, rather than having to wait until later in the year."
Jeane Freeman is under pressure to supply the exact numbers of just how many residents and care workers are affected by COVID-19.
It comes after the BBC put in an FOI request for more information, however, the Scottish Government has extended FOI deadlines for 3 months during the pandemic.
The health secretary has confirmed that more exact figures will become available “later this week.”
