Two elderly residents have tested positive for Covid-19 in at least two care homes in Fermanagh, The Impartial Reporter has learned.

It’s understood the residents contracted the virus in both Milverne Care Home and Graan Abbey Care Home, both of which are run by Enniskillen based company Carewell Homes.

It follows an admission by Health Minister Robin Swann that there have been confirmed cases of coronavirus in at least 20 care homes throughout Northern Ireland.

Mr. Swann has not provided detailed information on which homes have been affected which means there may well be more cases in the Fermanagh and South Tyrone area.

Carol Kelly at Carewell Homes has confirmed that two of her residents have tested positive for the disease. She told The Impartial Reporter that the company is “taking the risks of the Covid-19 pandemic extremely seriously”, explaining that its “primary focus is on the safety and welfare of both our residents and staff at this difficult time.”

In a statement to this newspaper, she said: “We are following all the guidelines and recommendations provided by the Public Health Agency and RQIA when it comes to social distancing, handwashing and use of PPE [personal protection equipment].”

“We have stopped all visits to the care homes since March 12 and strengthened our cleaning regimes to help reduce the risk of the virus. We have ensured our staff have received all the necessary guidance and advice and senior management are constantly on hand to support them as we deal with this challenging period,” she said.

In her statement, Ms. Kelly added: “While unfortunately we have had two residents contract the virus, in two different homes, they have since received the necessary treatment in hospital and responded well to it. Thankfully, one has fully recovered and returned to the home and we understand the other resident’s condition is improving as their treatment continues.

To contact Rodney Edwards, in confidence, e-mail redwards@impartialreporter.com 

___________________________________________________________________________

Please Note:

It is a tough time for our entire community and especially the business community. The Impartial Reporter is no different. We will continue to break important news on our website free of charge because it is important that we inform you especially at this crucial time in our history. However we also need your support so please pick up our weekly edition every Thursday in shops or subscribe to our page by page e-edition at https://www.impartialreporter.com/e_edition/ so that we can continue to be a voice for the people of this area. Thank you and stay safe.