‘Don’t relax’ - up to 68 care homes are still battling coronavirus... 412 resident have died so far

The latest NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) figures show that 412 of the 802 Covid-19 related NI deaths in NI have been care home residents. Forty-nine homes are battling outbreaks and a further 19 more have unconfirmed infections.

The news came as the Department of Health (DoH) reported one more virus-related death yesterday, with three more people testing positive.

But Commissioner for Older People, Eddie Lynch, noted that four out of five victims so far have been aged 75 or over.

“The vast majority of older victims have been care home residents and therefore no stone must be left unturned in taking action to avoid the further spread of Covid-19 in care home settings,” he said.

 “As society returns to a semblance of normality, we can’t let our guard down. Dozens of care homes across NI are still battling outbreaks, so we must ensure that all care homes get adequate PPE for all workers as well as regular testing for residents and staff.”

The DoH responded that “the vast majority” of care homes are free from the virus and that 104 - and rising - have cleared outbreaks. “Due the complex nature of the virus, an outbreak can take some time to close” it said.

This can only happen 14 days after the onset of symptoms of the most recent case.

Homes have been working closely with Trusts, the Public Health Agency and the RQIA to address the situation, with 10,986 residents and 14,419 staff tested so far, it added.

Meanwhile, cancer charities have expressed concern about the delay in restoring treatments, with 22% of NI  acute hospital beds still lying empty.

Gareth Kirk, Action Cancer CEO, said restarting screening is “an urgent priority”.

An estimated date “would help to relieve much anxiety among people who have been denied a screening opportunity for three months,” he said.

Craig Harrison of Marie Curie said “now is the time for urgent action”. He added: “As the UK’s largest charitable provider of palliative care,  we are expecting to see a potential surge in demand for our services due to the delay of diagnosis and treatment.”

DoH responded that it is rapidly stepping up the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients in clinically safe environments, with priority given to highest risk patients and clearing backlogs. Plans to rebuild the NHS were launched on June 9, it added.

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