Coronavirus infection rates higher in private care homes than not-for-profit facilities

Almost 14,000 jobs have been furloughed in East Ayrshire as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic.Figures made available reveal the impact of COVID-19 on the back of the country being locked down on Monday, March 23 in a bid to combat the deadly disease – with Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s programmes preventing jobs being axed.A total of 13,700 employments have been furloughed as part of the job retention scheme (JRS) in East Ayrshire.Meanwhile, 3500 claims have been made through the

Covid-19 care home crisis could have breached the Human Rights Act, experts have claimed. The Scottish Human Rights Commission said the scandal has raised “serious concerns” under Article 2 of the act.

Scottish Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw has called on health chiefs to get on top of care home staff testing in Ayrshire.Mr Carlaw challenged Nicola Sturgeon on the matter at First Minister’s Questions after Sturgeon revealed only a fifth of staff had been routinely tested across the country.Scottish Government statistics reveal that across Scotland’s 14 health boards, only 11,195 care home staff have been tested out of an estimated 50,000 across the country.In NHS Ayrshire and Arran 689

care home staff have been tested for coronavirus, according to new figures. The huge number of deaths from the deadly bug in care homes sparked plans to introduce tests.

There have been no new recorded deaths from coronavirus in Scotland in the last 24 hours.Latest Scottish Government figures show the disease has claimed the lives of 2,415 people - the same figure as yesterday.In Ayrshire, there's been a slight rise in the number of confirmed cases.That now stands at 1,079 - up two from yesterday.There are 10 people battling the disease in Ayrshire hospitals - also up two on yesterday.There remains fewer than five patients in intensive care in the region with

Ayrshire is continuing to slow down, new figures show.

coronavirus reproduction rate is expected to be on the decrease after experts released the latest UK figures per region. Medical and scientific officials are keeping a close eye on the R-number (reproduction number), which has been described as the key factor behind the easing of the lockdown.

A total of 31 prisoners have been released early from Perth Prison as part of emergency measures to increase prison capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The leader of the Scottish Conservatives has said Nicola Sturgeon should have appointed a minister to lead the care sector's response to Covid-19.

The Scottish Government has been accused of letting down care homes "all over again" after figures showed that staff were still not being tested for Covid-19 on a regular basis.

A further 12 people have died from Coronavirus in Scotland bringing the death toll to 2,375.

A Scots health board has apologised after it sent coronavirus test results and other personal information on more than 50 patients to a private business by mistake.

A care home was targeted by organised criminals who intercepted a £10,000 payment for vital protective clothing.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Ayrshire has risen by just two to 1,060.

A care home boss has accused the Scottish Government for three months of “mixed messages, mismanagement and missed opportunities” during the pandemic.

A new think tank has published an interactive map which shows the areas of West Lothian that face the greatest risk of coronavirus infection.

Police are set to support an investigation into care home deaths in Scotland throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

The mum of a young Scots cancer fighter has praised NHS staff for their "amazing" care during the corronavirus pandemic.

A woman whose mum died with coronavirus in a care home claimed elderly people have been “written off” in the crisis.

A Scots care home has confirmed a Covid-19 outbreak after 10 residents tested positive for the virus.