Nursing home reports Covid outbreak among ‘fully vaccinated residents and staff’

Laurel Lodge in Longford town suspended visits after ‘14 to 15 cases’ cases detected

A midlands nursing home is in lockdown after more than a dozen fully vaccinated residents and staff tested positive for Covid-19.

Laurel Lodge Nursing Home in Longford town has suspended all visits after “14 to 15 cases” of coronavirus were detected among residents and employees within the last week.

A spokesperson for the privately run facility confirmed the outbreak this afternoon and said all necessary public health protocols were being taken.

They confirmed all of the cases identified were among residents and staff who are fully vaccinated.

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It’s understood at least three cases confirmed are among staff who are now self-isolating at home.

The residents who tested positive are being treated in isolation in a bid to limit transmission.

Longford-Westmeath Fianna Fáil TD Joe Flaherty expressed his disappointment over the outbreak but said all necessary measures were being deployed by the nursing home.

“It is a worrying development but I do know Laurel Lodge has led the way in effectively managing the virus and while it is disappointing for the facility, I have no doubt that all necessary measures are being put in place,” he said.

“The reality is this is a fast-moving virus and is something we are going to have to live with.”

Details of the outbreak emerged after the Government was warned last night the country could face a peak of of 2,500 to 3,000 Covid cases by mid-September.

The National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) outlined their concerns in a letter to The Minister for Health.