A DERRY care home in which there has been a number of coronavirus-linked cases and deaths says staff have been left devastated by recent fatalities.
Owen Mor care centre in the Culmore area said it could not reveal detailed information because of “respect and confidentiality” issues but was informing authorities of any deaths which occurred at the home.
The centre was responding to an Irish News request for an update following its confirmation last month that one resident had died from a coronavirus-linked condition while six tested positive for Covid-19.
Earlier this week, retired priest, Fr Anthony Quinn (91) died at Owen Mor two days after the death in the same home of his sister, Phyllis Quinn (94) from a coronavirus-linked condition.
A spokeswoman said: “Owing to respect and confidentiality, we are not at liberty to provide such detailed information pertaining to a small resident group. If a resident tests positive, this is immediately communicated to their next-of-kin and to other next-of-kins of residents in the home and if their loved one is in the same unit we will inform them of this.”
The spokeswoman said the sense of loss within the home due to the recent deaths was “unmeasurable”. Staff were devastated at the loss of “much-loved residents”.
“These are the most challenging of times and we continue to provide quality care in a calm, friendly and homely environment. As always, we communicate with each resident’s next-of-kin, keeping them up to date with the situation within the home,” she said.
Staff at Owen Mor were following guidance from the Public Health Agency and were working with adequate personal protection equipment. This has been supplied from Owen Mor’s own stock, from the Western health trust and also from the community.
“We continue to protect residents by nursing in isolation, checking temperatures, promoting handwashing and trying to do everything possible to minimise human to human transmission.
“We understand the concern regarding care homes at present and seek to re-assure that everything that we can do is being done,” the spokeswoman said.
