110 care homes report suspected or confirmed Covid-19 cases

A total of 110 care homes in Northern Ireland have reported suspected or confirmed Covid-19 cases.
By The Newsroom
Published 7th May 2020, 14:17 BST
110 care homes have reported confirmed or suspected cases of Covid-19110 care homes have reported confirmed or suspected cases of Covid-19
110 care homes have reported confirmed or suspected cases of Covid-19

The Public Health Agency (PHA) said 75 of those had been confirmed.

Officials gave evidence to Stormont’s health committee today.

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Chief executive Olive MacLeod said: “There are 110 open and active cases being managed by the PHA where there are reported respiratory illnesses.”

She added that 16 care homes have had outbreaks concluded since the start of the pandemic and 126 acute respiratory outbreaks have been reported to the PHA.

The PHA has been helping to oversee the official response to the pandemic.

Concerns have centred on the plight of those in nursing homes during the outbreak.

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They were promised a £6.5 million funding boost by health minister Robin Swann last month.

He also confirmed a further expansion of testing and the publication of updated guidance for care homes aimed at strengthening infection prevention and control and protecting residents.

Related topics:Northern IrelandRobin Swann