Nursing home resident battles back from deadly disease

AN Omagh nursing home resident has battled back after testing positive for coronavirus and is now recovering from the deadly disease.

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI), which manages Harold McCauley House, has confirmed that the resident had been discharged from hospital and is recovering back at the home, just off Killyclogher Road. It follows the heartbreaking news that another resident from the Omagh nursing home had died in hospital from Covid-19.

A “small number” of other Harold McCauley residents are also currently displaying minor symptoms of coronavirus, it has been confirmed.

Specialist contractors have been employed to undertake a deep clean of the premises, which is taking place today (Thursday) or tomorrow.

Residents have also been moved to their rooms in order to further protect them.

On Tuesday, Stormont Health Minister, Robin Swann, announced that 20 care homes across the North now had cases of Covid-19. Unions have warned that care homes had the potential to become petri dishes for the virus unless “immediate testing, tracking and isolation” commenced. Since late February, eight residents of Harold McCauley House have died. But those who weren’t admitted to hospital were not tested for coronavirus.

Lindsay Conway, the PCI’s Council for Social Witness director of social service, said that many of the residents who died were already receiving end-of-life care and ongoing compassionate support from the carers in the home, and were not linked to Covid-19.

But Mr Conway also said that the facility for routine testing for the virus had not been made available to Harold McCauley House or other homes.

The director of social service said, “Whenever someone passes away, especially in a close-knit community like a residential care home like Harold McCauley House, it has a profound effect on staff and residents alike.”

Moving to reassure the loved ones of the residents, Mr Conway said, “During these particular difficult days, we are doing absolutely everything that can be done to minimise the risk posed by this virus. We are also following Public Health Agency and Department of Health guidelines stringently.”

He also commended the staff in Harold McCauley House for their dedication and commitment that was “above and beyond the call of duty in these unprecedented times”.

“The Council for Social Witness is also very grateful to the local community for their incredible support, in particular local businesses who have been so generous with donations. These goodwill gestures greatly encourage both residents and staff,” Mr Conway added.

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