Testing offered to all care home residents and staff in Northern Ireland

Coronavirus testing is to be offered to all care home residents and staff in Northern Ireland, Stormont’s health minister has announced. There had been mounting calls for Robin Swann to provide universal testing in homes amid concerns about the number of deaths of residents. Almost half (45%) of Covid-19 related deaths in the region have occurred in care homes, latest figures from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) have shown. “Following detailed planning and preparatory work, I can now confirm that testing will be available to all residents and staff.” Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Commissioner of Older People in Northern Ireland Eddie Lynch have been among the most vocal of those calling for universal testing in the region’s care homes. “The Health Minister needs to deliver on his commitment that Covid-19 testing will be made available to all care home residents and staff across the north,” he said. “The roll out of universal testing needs to start in care homes as a matter of urgency and on an ongoing basis.