[ad_1]
Eight residents died in a private nursing home over the Christmas period after a Covid-19 outbreak at the facility, management confirmed.
En Kennedy, CEO of Windmill Healthcare, which operates the Killeline Care Center, Newcastle West, Co Limerick, said: “Unfortunately, and regrettably, we must confirm that we have eight Covid-19 related deaths.
“This has been very disturbing for everyone, especially their loved ones. We would like to extend our deepest condolences to all their families and friends,” Kennedy said.
A spokesperson added that management was “scheduling a vaccine launch on January 18, and this cannot be fast enough.”
“It is vital that it be earlier if possible,” Kennedy said.
The outbreak, declared three weeks ago, intensified over the past fortnight as the administration continued to actively manage the situation with the support of the HSE.
The nursing home has about 100 staff members who serve a maximum of 63 residents.
Some staff members remain in isolation, while others have isolated themselves and returned to work.
To date, there were 12 active Covid cases among residents, however, the number of confirmed cases among staff was not disclosed.
“Windmill Healthcare can confirm that we are managing a Covid outbreak at Killeline Care Center, Newcastle West. As part of our biweekly serial testing for staff, we were informed that several staff members had tested positive for Covid-19 prior to the Christmas period, ”Kennedy said.
“We are fortunate that our senior management team at Windmill Healthcare are physicians with vast experience. Working together with the management team at Killeline Care Center, they immediately enacted our contingency plan and put all infection prevention and control measures in place.
“We have been communicating daily with the Covid-19 outbreak control team within the HSE and local GPs. Working together we are ensuring a collective approach and have been monitoring the situation daily to contain and control the outbreak to protect our residents and our staff. “
Windmill operates six nursing homes and two retirement villages in Limerick, North Cork, Kerry, Galway and Offaly.
“Being part of a larger group means we have additional resources behind us, and we have been fortunate to have our complement of staff from across the country, as well as HSE and agency staff. The support we have received from the Covid-19 outbreak control team, our local GPs and our staff has been extremely helpful throughout this time, ”Kennedy said.
He added: “With the Covid-19 incidence rate in Limerick currently so high, particularly in West Limerick, it is a constant battle for all nursing homes to keep Covid-19 at bay. However, when it penetrates, it shows how cruel it can be to the most vulnerable.
“Most of our staff have tested positive for Covid-19. As now we are three weeks after this outbreak, large numbers of these staff are now recovering and returning to work.
“The last three weeks have been a scenario of daily escalation, but recent Covid-19 smear test results have indicated that the outbreak has stabilized and we hope that we will endure another difficult week before the cycle is complete.”
Online editors
[ad_2]