Fifth death reported at Home Farm care home on Skye after Covid-19 outbreak; Ross, Skye and Lochaber MP Ian Blackford talks of 'heart-breaking and devastating' impact of coronavirus; he was speaking in Prime Minister's Questions minutes after news of latest fatality
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A SKYE-based Ross-shire MP has described a Covid-19 hotspot at a Portree care home as "heart-breaking and devastating" after a fifth fatality was reported.
Ian Blackford, who represents Ross, Skye and Lochaber, was speaking during today's Prime Minister's Questions session when he touched upon the coronavirus outbreak which has stunned Skye and shocked people across the Highlands.
He was speaking just minutes after the care home reported its second fatality of the day – taking the death toll to five since the outbreak was first confirmed last Thursday.
Thirty of the 34 residents and 27 staff have tested positive for the virus.
Putting a question to the Prime Minister Boris Johnson, urging people not to travel to popular tourist spots during lockdown, Mr Blackford turned his attention to the island's recent outbreak, saying: "We've faced our own heartbreak with a devastating outbreak of Covid-19 over the last few days".
Earlier today Highland Council leader Margaret Davidson spoke of her "profound sadness" over the outbreak.
Commenting before news of the further deaths emerged, Cllr Davidson said: “I was profoundly sad to learn of the coronavirus outbreak at Home Farm care home and my thoughts are very much with those who have lost loved ones.
"This is a very difficult and anxious time for residents, families and staff, but I have been heartened by the response from NHS Highland and the Council who have moved swiftly to support the community in Portree which has included the deployment by the Army of a mobile testing unit.
"Skye is a very close family community who will be supporting and caring for one another and I just wanted them to know that the council and its partners will do all we can to help and support them at this time.”
Click here to read more coronavirus news.
