Department of Health quizzed over Covid outbreaks in 127 NI care homes

Yesterday the Department of Health (DOH) said mobile vaccination teams have administered first jabs to all NI care homes - and second doses to over 80%.

However, concerningly, yesterday there were still 127 live Covid outbreaks in NI care homes, which accounts for 26% of all 482 facilities.

As the care home vaccination programme is nearing completion - and in some cases residents had their second jabs weeks ago - the News Letter put a series of questions to the DOH about when visiting restrictions might be relaxed - and how outbreaks could still be so high when even first jabs are predicted to give substantial immunity levels ro residents.

Covid outbreaks in care homes peaked this winter at around 166 facilities on November 19, dipping to 83 on December 24 and climbing again to another peak of 149 by January 12. Since then the number of outbreaks has dipped steadily to the current 127.

Care home vaccinations began on December 8 and by January 3 almost 10,000 residents had received their first jab with over 80% of care homes having now had their second jabs.

But questions remain about why outbreaks are still so high despite the advanced state of the vaccination programme, with even first jabs supposed to give significant immunity.

The News Letter asked the Department of Health yesterday;-

* When should we expect to see care home outbreaks dropping off in light of first and second jabs?

* How long after the second jab do vaccine producers say the immune response should be fully activated?

* Is this expected to be any different for the elderly or infirm?

* What criteria will be used to decide when visiting restrictions might be relaxed at care homes?

A DOH spokesman responded: “We are due to issue press releases today [Friday] and Monday which will cover your queries.”

However there were no answers to the questions above yesterday, which may therefore be addressed next week.

The NI Statistics and Research Agency says that the 897 Covid-related deaths of care home residents up to January 22 account for 38.1% of all Covid-19 related deaths.

Former health minister Jim Wells has not had a face-to-face meeting with his wife, Grace, in 310 days. She is currently cared for in a Banbridge nursing home after a series of strokes.

“Grace had the second Pfizer Vaccine three weeks ago,” he said. “All residents and staff at the home were given them on the same days. You are supposed to be 90% immune with the first jab and 95% with the second. It is now 17 days since she had her second jab. We are keen to hear from about when we might restart face to face visits.”

DOH says care homes with no current outbreaks should facilitate a variety of visiting options, which can be seen here.

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