Covid outbreak in Co. Galway nursing home revealed

The vast majority of residents in a nursing home in Co. Galway have tested positive for Covid-19 - with the virus also impacting a significant number of care staff at the facility, RTÉ News is reporting.

It is understood that one resident at the home has died while two others are being admitted to hospital today after their conditions deteriorated.

Earlier today, during Leaders Questions in the Dail, Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice highlighted the plight of a nursing home in his constituency which has been impacted by Covid 19.

He said: “I got a phone call from a director of nursing this morning who was extremely distressed and felt helpless; they were in tears, having been forced to self-isolate due to the virus.

“This nursing home has 27 residents, 25 of whom have tested positive. Sadly, one of the residents passed away.

“Of the staff working there, only one nurse and one care assistant have not yet tested positive and are valiantly working to look after the residents.

“Every protocol has been followed by the nursing home. They contacted the HSE and were told not to panic. They were advised to get agency staff.

“The HSE promised that agency staff would arrive this morning, but nobody showed up.

“Two of the residents had to be transported to hospital this morning, and it is feared that the remainder will have to follow.

“When this pandemic arose, promises were made that everything would be done to protect our elderly and most vulnerable. And yet, here we are.

“The HSE has failed the residents and staff of this nursing home, despite requests for urgent assistance.

“I have called on the Tanaiste Leo Varadkar to personally assist in finding a resolution to this situation,” he added.

The problem began to emerge last Monday, when a resident was taken to hospital.

A positive Covid-19 test was returned for that person and all staff and residents in the home were subsequently swabbed.