Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 October 2022
174. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of residents that tragically lost their lives to Covid during the Covid outbreak in a care centre (details supplied) in January 2021; if he will provide the details on the staffing ratio to care for residents on the ground at that time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53648/22]
View answerA Covid-19 outbreak occurred in the centre referenced by the Deputy from late December 2020 to early March 2021. I am informed by the HSE that an outbreak control team was established by the local Department of Public Health and throughout the outbreak period, the HSE provided intensive supports to this centre through the local Covid Response Support Team.
This support included public health and Infection Prevention and Control support, PPE, resident and staff mass testing, assistance in sourcing agency staff, accommodation for staff under the HSE Temporary Staff Accommodation Scheme, and extensive and ongoing communication and support calls. In addition, first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were provided to residents and staff during this period.
Information in relation to staffing ratios in individual nursing homes is not held by the Department. The mortality rate for individual outbreaks cannot be provided. As the Deputy will appreciate the release of specific data may inadvertently compromise individuals personal and private information.
