OPPOSITION leaders in Scotland raised concerns today about the spread of Covid in care homes after a sharp rise in the number of homes with a potential outbreak.

Scottish government figures revealed this week that there were now 59 adult care homes in Scotland with a current case of suspected Covid-19 — more than a three-fold increase from 18 just two months earlier.

Across Scotland, an estimated 6 per cent of all homes are believed to currently have a case of Covid-19 in them. 

This takes the figure to its highest point since the beginning of March, sparking concerns about resident safety.

Scottish Labour’s Covid Recovery spokesperson Jackie Baillie MSP warned the third wave of Covid has now undeniably reached our care homes.

The party’s deputy leader said: “The way care home residents have been failed time and time again during this pandemic is nothing short of a national scandal. We cannot let history repeat itself.

“The vaccine is doing a fantastic job of preventing another full-scale catastrophe, but there is still no room for complacency.”