Scottish Government figures released last week show almost half of all care homes have reported a suspected coronavirus case – despite only 1.7 per cent of social care staff having been tested for the virus.

We are, of course, living in a very difficult time and the unprecedented situation has placed many services and sectors under severe hardships.

However, more can be done to support the social care sector by testing more staff and providing more PPE.

Families with a loved one in a care home will rightly be concerned as the virus has severe and sadly fatal implications for the elderly and the sick.

The figures showing that more than 500 care homes have reported a suspected coronavirus is not surprising news.

Trade unions have labelled the impact of coronavirus and care homes as a “crisis within a crisis”.

Despite the new four-point plan announced by the Scottish Government, the proposals fall far short of action required as they do not set out that an increase of testing can be carried out.

It is clear that social care staff should be tested to protect them, their families and the residents in care homes.

Again, we find the lack of testing problematic in the fight against coronavirus. This has been obvious since the outset and against advice from the World Health Organisation.

Scotland and the UK have shown to be woefully unprepared to test, where other countries have shown it is possible.

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Coronavirus and mental health: A few months into this battle, we still don’t fully know what we are a fighting, nor do we know what life will be like when this great challenge has been overcome.

We do know that those working in the NHS and social care sectors are putting their very lives at risk in treating those with Covid-19.

What we do not know, sadly, is the toll that these months will have on the mental health of many, from those shielding to NHS and social care workers.

Mental health, an almost invisible enemy, has become a higher priority in government and civic society around the world over the last 10 to 15 years.

After this crisis has concluded we must be more cautious in our approach to the forthcoming mental health crisis that will undoubtedly follow in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.

Governments must start planning for increased demand in our mental health services now.