A whistleblower working at a coronavirus-stricken care home where at least nine residents are reported to have died claimed 'infected patients were allowed to walk around freely'.
In the past two weeks at least nine deaths are reported to have occurred at Jewel House care home in Bingham, Edinburgh, run by the City of Edinburgh Council.
Another ten residents are believed to have tested positive for Covid-19, according to a concerned member of staff, speaking on condition of anonymity to the Edinburgh Evening News.
The whistleblower claimed deaths could have been 'better prevented if senior staff followed guidelines accordingly'.
The source said: "There have been nine deaths within the last two weeks and a further ten residents have tested positive for Covid-19.
"We feel this could have been better prevented if senior staff, management and team leaders followed the guidelines accordingly."
The Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership has promised to launch a probe, as Labour MP Ian Murray called for an investigation.
The insider claimed residents who had received a positive diagnosis were allowed to walk around freely and criticised infection control measures, saying staff had been left without adequate protection.
It was claimed six workers had tested positive for the virus.
The source added: "This is very upsetting and distressing for all care staff having to deal with this on every shift and having the worry of catching this virus.
"This virus has spread quickly due to senior staff slacking on guidelines."
Mr Murray said: "These are concerning claims which need to be investigated.
"It's important that guidelines are followed for the safety of both residents and staff."
A spokesman for the Care Inspectorate said:"We have been notified of the circumstances and we are in contact with the care service and the local health and social care partnership."
A spokesman for the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership said: "Our priority is always the safety and wellbeing of residents and staff in our care homes and we're carefully following government guidance as laid out by Health Protection Scotland.
"Staff are being equipped with the appropriate PPE and where there is a suspected COVID-19 case in a care home, testing of residents is carried out within the appropriate guidance on testing.
"We take all allegations about the wellbeing of our staff and residents very seriously and will investigate all complaints that are made to us.
"Directors of Public Health in Scotland have been given a lead role in supporting the wider plan for care homes are contacting and, where appropriate, visiting homes with our own teams to provide support, training and guidance as necessary.
"This is in addition to the homes' own robust training and the guidance from Health Protection Scotland which is already in place.
"Care homes which have a positive case of COVID-19 are being supported by the NHS Lothian Health Protection Team and the residents' GPs.
"Care homes are also supported by local district nursing teams and during this pandemic we have provided additional district nursing capacity."
