Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 July 2020
760. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the outbreak of Covid-19 at a nursing home (details supplied); and if his attention has been further drawn to the transfer of residents to other care units and the manner in which the transfers were carried out. [17355/20]
View answer761. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the death of 12 residents of a nursing home (details supplied) due to Covid-19 and that 34 staff tested positive for the virus. [17356/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 760 and 761 together.
People living in long-term residential care (LTRC) facilities are particularly vulnerable populations in the context of COVID-19 and have been identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) to be at a higher risk of being susceptible to infection from this disease and for subsequent adverse outcomes.
The very infectious nature of the COVID-19 virus makes it difficult to prevent and control in residential care settings - an experience replicated internationally. Interrupting transmission of the COVID-19 virus is the main goal of public health measures and it is clear from our experience that the scale of effect of interruption of transmission is influenced by a number of factors. The most important way to protect our older population, whether living at home or in a long-term residential care (LTRC) setting, has been to reduce the amount of disease present in our community. The transmission of the virus, particularly in respect of LTRC settings is multifactorial and its introduction into any setting could be the result of a number of factors.
As a new disease, health authorities across the world are learning about COVID-19 and adapting as new evidence and understanding is formed. The HSE in line with all health authorities continuously reviews emerging evidence and guidance. This is evident from the significant package of guidance that has been produced and has continued to be developed and updated in line with new national and international evidence and data.
The actions and measures we have taken in Ireland to support long-term residential care facilities and their residents have evolved on foot of epidemiological data and guidance from the WHO and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). These measures have been both society wide as well as focused specifically on residential facilities. Advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) focused on all long-term residential care settings and its recommended actions were relevant for all residential care services - older people, disability and mental health settings.
As some aspects of the Deputy's questions are operational matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly as soon as possible.
