A BORDERS care home has reported seven deaths related to coronavirus.

Eyemouth's Saltgreens Care Home, run by Scottish Borders Council (SBC), was the first care home in the region to announce cases of COVID-19.

Now the Peeblesshire News has learned that seven residents have died, with the virus mentioned on their death certificates.

SBC chief executive Tracey Logan said: "Our sympathy and condolences are with all family members at this difficult time."

She added: "While we are not in a position to provide further details, we can confirm seven residents within Saltgreens care home in Eyemouth have sadly passed away where COVID-19 has been recorded as a contributory factor on the death certificate."

There are currently 16 residents at Saltgreens who have tested positive for the virus since the outbreak, according to Ms Logan. She said most have recovered and added that the figure does not include those who have died.

Ms Logan said Deanfield Care Home, in Hawick, has reported a single case of COVID-19.

She said: "We are continuing to work closely with NHS Borders colleagues to support the situation in both homes and would like to thank them and our own staff for their ongoing care and commitment.

"There are no other recorded cases of COVID-19 in other care homes in the Borders at present."