The HSE says that all residents at a Longford nursing home are Covid-free at present.
The confirmation comes after reports a staff member of St Joseph's in Longford town tested positive last week and several others have been told to self-isolate for 14 days as a result.
The Irish Mirror has reported that after the staff member was informed of their result, families of residents were also told of the test result, but assured that there was no risk to residents.
The HSE has confirmed there are no visiting restrictions applying in St Joseph's Community Care Centre apart from The Lodge, a separate unit at the rear of St Joseph's where visiting is restricted to one person by resident.
All relatives concerned have been notified.
A statement to Shannonside Northern Sound from the HSE claimed they cannot comment on individual cases or outbreaks but did confirm that when they respond to notified cases or outbreaks of Covid-19, they undertake a risk assessment of the situation and appropriate investigations are undertaken and control measures put in place.
Longford Councillor Peggy Nolan says there is no need for anyone to panic about the reports:
The full statement from the HSE following a query by Shannonside FM is below:
The HSE cannot comment on individual cases or outbreaks as to do so would breach our duty of confidentiality to the individuals concerned. Maintaining confidentiality is not only an ethical requirement for the HSE, it is also a legal requirement as defined in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) along with the Data Protection Acts 1988-2018.
In general when our Departments of Public Health respond to notified cases or outbreaks of Covid-19 they undertake a risk assessment of the situation and appropriate investigations are undertaken and control measures put in place.
All residents are well and remain free from Covid 19 symptoms at this time.
