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The president of a Co Clare nursing home, which is in the midst of the Covid-19 outbreak, has criticized “completely inaccurate” claims on social media that staff had left the facility.
The Cahercalla Community Hospital and Hospice in Ennis has 19 confirmed cases of Covid among residents, and several staff members are on Covid-related leave.
It is one of three nursing homes in Munster that receive assistance from the Defense Forces for non-clinical tasks, such as meal preparation, with the other two in Cork.
Cahercalla Board Chairman Dr. Michael Harty addressed the concerns after a video was posted on social media.
The video claimed that management had left and there was a food shortage at the facility, which Dr. Harty claims is not true.
The president confirmed the outbreak, with 19 residents currently infected, however, added: “What appeared on social media, its tone and its content, was completely inaccurate. He was talking about the management leaving the nursing home, which was completely untrue. “
He added that the center is currently receiving assistance from the HSE and confirmed the presence of the army at the site, saying the alternative “was to bring in volunteers,” a move that was deemed unsafe.
Dr. Harty confirmed that the first vaccinations took place in Cahercalla yesterday after the schedule was moved forward from January 22.
A Defense Forces spokesperson confirmed that, following a request from the HSE, Óglaigh na hÉireann deployed more than 25 soldiers to nursing homes in Ballincollig and Douglas and Ennis.
“These soldiers, based out of Collins Barracks Cork and Sarsfield Barracks Limerick, will be deployed daily for the next several weeks to assist nursing home staff with general non-clinical duties,” the spokesperson said.
“This is a positive move,” said Mr Tadhg Daly, executive director of Nursing Home Ireland, who said he understands that the Defense Forces are helping with catering in Cahercalla.
Clare Mayor Cllr Mary Howard addressed rumors of a food shortage, which she said were completely inaccurate, and confirmed the presence of the military outside the facility, while moving to reassure concerned locals. “This is not Washington, this is not the Capitol, there are five guys out there,” he said.
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