Northern Ireland

Coronavirus: Care home staff devastated as four residents die of Covid-19 with a fifth death unconfirmed

Our Lady's' care Home in Beechmount, west Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann
Our Lady's' care Home in Beechmount, west Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann Our Lady's' care Home in Beechmount, west Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann

STAFF at a west Belfast care home have described their devastation at the loss of four residents confirmed to have died after contracting coronavirus.

Our Lady's Care Home at Ardnava Road in Beechmount, which can house almost 90 elderly and older mentally infirm people, confirmed that four residents passed away as a result of Covid-19.

A fifth resident is suspected to have died of the virus - a case yet to be confirmed.

Stormont Health Minister Robin Swann revealed that 20 care homes in the north had been affected by the outbreak.

The location and breakdown of confirmed cases of residents/staff is unknown, however.

The Republic's chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan revealed that more than half the victims of Covid-19 in Ireland have been nursing home residents.

There is no similar data in the north to identify these critical `clusters' and no community tracing. The only official statistics published are for those who died in hospital settings.

A former Catholic Church-owned facility, Our Lady's Care Home was run by the Sisters of Mercy and later the Diocese of Down and Connor before it was taken over in 2017 by the Macklin Group, joining its portfolio of six homes across the north.

Last night, the Director of Our Lady's, Gareth Macklin, told The Irish News that residents were being provided the best care possible as the pandemic continues.

"Despite the dedication of our entire team, we are truly devastated by the passing of our much-loved residents who’ve tested positive for Covid-19," Mr Macklin said.

"Our hearts go out to the families of those who have passed, and everyone of us, deeply feel the loss within the home. Our entire care team are devastated as we care for every one of our residents as an extension of our family. Everyone is continuing to carry out their roles with commitment and bravery in caring for all our residents, during these exceptionally difficult times for every person involved in the entire care sector."

Mr Macklin said staff at Our Lady's were continuing to work "very closely" with the PHA and the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, saying the team was "following their guidance to implement our comprehensive contingency plan and infection control procedures, to reduce further infection spread and minimise risk to everyone".

He added: "This is a continuously evolving situation and we want to reassure residents, their families and our team that every measure has been, and is being made, to ensure the care of their loved ones as well as all our staff."