NI care home sees 19 residents and staff test positive for COVID-19

Sandringham Care Home said it organised for all 58 residents and all staff to be tested in one day via the Southern Health and Social Care Trust.

A spokesperson said: “Following the testing of symptomatic residents, the testing of all other residents and colleagues commenced on May 1.

“Some results came back as early as May 3 with all results available by Thursday 7th. The families of residents were informed that testing was taking place and of the results of the tests.

“The initial testing showed that seven residents, tested positive for Covid-19 as well as five members of staff.

“The total number of residents who have tested positive for Covid-19 is now 14.

“Management and staff in Sandringham are adhering to the Department of Health and Public Health Agency guidelines. Social distancing, PPE use and isolation policies are in place across all of our homes to minimise the risk of transmission and we are closely monitoring the other residents and colleagues in Sandringham. Our focus at the moment is on the ongoing care and protection of all of our residents and colleagues.”

“The support of the residents and their families towards all the staff team has meant so much; everyone connected to a Covid positive care home is affected by the sadness of loss, however, the positivity and resilience we see from all connected to our residents shows the value we hold our older people in,” the spokesperson concluded.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you