Gino Kenny TD says: “Testing and results of tests must be dramatically increased and expedited to minimise spread of virus”

As news of twenty three clusters of Covid-19 in nursing homes has been reported, People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny expressed grave concerns about the level of testing and the unacceptable delay in results in these care settings.

The Dublin Mid-West TD said: “I know of nursing homes in my constituency that are under huge stress as a result of staff having to self-isolate while they await test results. This is unacceptable and the Government and HSE must prioritise testing and test results for staff and residents in nursing homes.

“With 21 of the nursing home clusters located in the east of the country, testing and test results must be expedited to make every effort to stop the spreading of the virus and to protect this vulnerable cohort of people. Currently there are approximately 25,000 older people being cared for in nursing homes.

“There are reports of staff numbers dropping in nursing homes as workers self-isolate after developing symptoms. We must have a quicker turnaround in testing and results so that homes can maintain appropriate levels of staffing to look after this particularly vulnerable group,” said Deputy Kenny.