THERE have been calls for all care home frontline staff to be given Covid-19 testing after six residents in a Derry home contracted the virus.
Management at Owen Mor Care Home in the Culmore area said a resident who died at the weekend did not have coronavirus but six others in one unit tested positive on Friday.
A spokesman said it moved swiftly to notify GPs, the Public Health Authority, the Western Health and Social Care Trust and the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA).
"We are treating the situation with the utmost seriousness and strict infection prevention and control measures are in place.
"The residents affected and those not affected are being isolated and supported by staff.
“All staff within the home have been informed and contact has been made with all residents’ next of kin.
"We appreciate that this is a very worrying time for families and we wish to reassure them that our staff are committed to their loved ones and we are doing everything that we possibly can.”
Sinn Féin assembly member Martina Anderson welcomed news that personal protective equipment (PPE) was issued to staff and those who were symptomatic were given priority access to Derry's Covid-19 testing centre.
However, she said more needs to be done.
“Testing needs to be much more widespread if we are to effectively fight this virus. It's also outrageous that front-line health care workers providing invaluable care for patients in local communities are being left to feel they are not being supported and protected," she said.
"Residential homes and domiciliary care providers are frontline health-care workers and should be properly protected in terms of PPE and testing."
Derry People Before Profit councillor Shaun Harkin also said there must be "widespread and regular testing for the virus of frontline workers and everyone worried they have symptoms".
