A new case of Covid-19 has been detected on a remote Scottish island where ten people have already died after contracting the virus.
NHS Highland confirmed another person had tested positive on the Isle of Skye but the latest case is understood to not be connected to Home Farm Care Home in Portree.
Ten people have lost their lives at the HC-One operated facility forcing health chiefs to step in with additional support after “significant” concerns were raised.
Legal proceedings to strip the operator of their licence were held virtually on Wednesday but the home was given a three week reprieve to improve their conditions.
SNP MSP Kate Forbes, who presents the consistency, also confirmed the latest case and said contact tracing would begin to stop further spread of the virus.
She said: “NHS Highland confirm that somebody else has tested positive for Covid on Skye.
“The case will be ‘traced’ with people affected being contacted, given advice and tested.
“There is already additional testing on the island. Guidance remains - stay home, social distance & wash hands.
“There are already resources in place on the island to support the community, with NHS Highland effectively running Home Farm. Residents and staff at all care homes on Skye have already been tested, in some cases twice.
“I know these are worrying times and the provision of accurate information is vitally important for the local residents.
“As local MSP, I am trying to post regular updates on Facebook, so there is transparency and clarity.”
She added that staff and residents at care homes on the island had already been tested, twice in some cases.
A spokesperson for the health board added: “NHS Highland is investigating another confirmed positive case of Covid-19 on Skye.
“To reduce the potential for further spread of Covid-19, NHS Highland has contacted all those directly affected, given them the appropriate advice and is in the process of organising testing.”
