Local nursing home confirms COVID-19 outbreak

A Covid-19 outbreak has been confirmed at a local nursing home.

Moate Nursing Home said yesterday (Wednesday) evening that a number of residents had tested positive.

It's believed that some staff members at the nursing home, set in the grounds of the old Carmelite College in Moate, have also tested positive.

Speaking to the Westmeath Independent yesterday evening, a spokesperson for the nursing home declined to comment on the number of positive cases, saying it was a "fluid" and "difficult" situation which everyone involved was doing their best to manage.

In a statement issued to the Westmeath Independent, the nursing home, operated by Mowlam Healthcare, said: “Moate Nursing Home is currently managing a Covid-19 outbreak.

“We have a number of residents who have tested positive for the virus and these residents and all other residents are being cared for and managed by our professional staff.

“The team are working closely with the HSE Public Health Team and HIQA and would like to acknowledge and thank them for their assistance and guidance.

“A particular thank you to all our residents and their families for their ongoing support and co-operation.

“Finally to our dedicated team we would like to extend our sincere thanks for their commitment and compassion in appropriately implementing our Covid-19 response plans and managing this challenge effectively.

"It would be inappropriate to comment further on any personal health matters of those affected,” the statement ended.