Wicklow TD Calls For Covid 19 Testing In Nursing Homes To Be Sped Up

The Minister for Health Wicklow TD Simon Harris is being told that testing for Covid-19 in nursing homes in Wicklow and around the country needs to be speeded up and regular testing of staff and residents needs to be put in place.

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Health, Wicklow T.D. Stephen Donnelly says testing in our nursing homes is currently taking at best five days to turnaround.

He says the HSE say they are aiming for a new target of three days but but he says that’s not good enough.

Deputy Donnelly says the latest national figures show  740 nursing home residents have passed away after contracting the Coronavirus –more than half all confirmed deaths so far.