Covid-related resident deaths in Scottish care homes with more than 80 beds were more than six times higher than in properties with up to 20 beds, according to official figures.
Data published by the Care Inspectorate showed 12.6 virus deaths per 100 places in care homes with more than 80 beds and 2.1 deaths per 100 in facilities with up to 20 beds.
Scottish care homes located in the most populated areas had higher rates of Covid-related deaths than those in the most remote areas.
The regulator’s data showed a death rate of 11.6 per 100 places in large urban areas compared with 3.7 per 100 places in remote small towns.
“Our findings relating to care homes indicate there may be relationships between a high number of deaths related to Covid-19 and size of service and geographical location, including urban or rural settings,” said the Care Inspectorate.
“We continue to undertake analysis to help us better understand what we can learn from these findings to support quality improvement within the care sector,” it added.
The Care Inspectorate figures also showed 59 per cent of care homes for older adults reported at least one Covid-related death up to March 2021.
Private sector care homes had a higher rate of recording at least one Covid death.
