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Nursing home staff waiting nearly a week for COVID-19 results

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By Sean Moriarty

 

Concerns have been raised about the length of time it takes for the results of COVID-19 tests to be returned to residents and staff at Killarney Nursing Home.

Residents, staff, and family members were left waiting six days for results after a suspected case of the disease was identified at the Rock Road care facility.

On Monday of last week (January 18) there was one suspected case of Coronavirus at the nursing home.

On the same day every resident and staff member was tested and the nominated family contact of the resident was informed that testing had commenced.

However, it was the following Saturday before family members were informed that all tests had returned negative.

Several family members contacted local TD Michael Healy-Rae concerned that life was continuing as normal at the care home despite a potential COVID-19 case there.

According to Deputy Healy-Rae, they were angry that they were left uninformed between Monday and Saturday, and that either staff or residents there, if positive, could have led to a larger outbreak at the home.

“It was a lot of stress and a big concern to the families,” he told the Killarney Advertiser.

Mr Healy-Rae said that he accepted that the entire medical sector was under pressure and that it would not be fair to place blame on the HSE in this instance.

Instead, priority should be given to healthcare workers as they will need results back quicker.

“It was a very genuine case for these families,” he said. “I spoke to the HSE and I would be hopeful that if there is a suspected case in such settings that test results would be prioritised.”

In the meantime, all residents of the Killarney Nursing Home received their vaccination on Wednesday of this week.

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‘Spring into Your Best Life’ event

The Oaks Hotel in Killarney will host ‘Spring into Your Best Life’ on April 5, an event organised in association with Breast Cancer Ireland and Irish Country Magazine. The event, […]

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The Oaks Hotel in Killarney will host ‘Spring into Your Best Life’ on April 5, an event organised in association with Breast Cancer Ireland and Irish Country Magazine.

The event, running from 12:30pm to 5:30pm, aims to provide attendees with advice on beauty, wellness, fashion, health, and happiness.
Hosted by Maura Derrane and James Patrice, the event will feature speakers including fashion expert Celia Holman Lee, pharmacist Laura Dowling, wellness expert Oonagh O’Hagan, and fitness coach Orla Hopkins.
Dr. Brian Cotter from Sisu will discuss aesthetics, while Christina Foley will focus on holistic wellbeing. Life coach Ariana Dunne will also speak on personal and professional success.
The event will include a drinks reception, a gourmet lunch, beauty and fashion masterclasses, and shopping opportunities. Attendees can win prizes throughout the day. A special Mother’s Day draw will take place for those attending with their mothers or daughters.
Tickets are available for the event via: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/your-best-life-kerry-fun-style-wellness-giveaways-breast-cancer-ireland-tickets-1021537374787?aff=oddtdtcreator

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KCC Students Receive Social Enterprise Award

Killarney Community College students Cian Walsh, Sophie Ballard, and Ella Whiteley received the Runners Up award for Social Enterprise at the Kerry County Council Annual Student Enterprise Awards. Their business, […]

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Killarney Community College students Cian Walsh, Sophie Ballard, and Ella Whiteley received the Runners Up award for Social Enterprise at the Kerry County Council Annual Student Enterprise Awards.

Their business, ‘Moods & Moments’, was recognised at the county final held at Munster Technology North Campus on Friday last (March 14).
The event saw 20 mini businesses created by secondary school students, focusing on business development, finance, marketing, and business plan presentation. Students operated their mini companies over several months, experiencing real-world entrepreneurship.
Prizes were awarded across Junior, Intermediate, and Senior levels.
Tomás Hayes, Head of Local Enterprise Office said: “I am pleased to see the level of innovation, resourcefulness, planning and development of all 20 projects in this year’s awards. This is a real-life exercise. It involves idea generation and actual trading. Profits are generated and finance is secured. It is a taste of business and all the issues involved from finding the right idea, funding the business, collecting the money, and building the team. I must commend the teachers for their efforts and the mentors for their support. The judges had a very difficult task.”

Photo: Michelle Breen Crean Photography

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