More than 2,400 COVID-19 deaths have been recorded in nursing homes and other residential centres in Ireland.
As of mid-November 2,457 COVID deaths have been recorded amongst residents and staff, the Irish Independent reported.
Almost 22,000 people in residential settings and nursing homes have been infected with COVID-19.
Dr Lois O’Connor, interim director of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), said the figures excludes sporadic cases.
The numbers were revealed in a Parliamentary response to the head of Aontú, TD Peadar Tóibín who is seeking a public inquiry into the government’s handling of the pandemic in settings, including private and HSE-run nursing homes, centres for older people, disability centres, mental health facilities, children’s and women’s refuges, children’s residential centres, hospices, respite centres, and convents.
Mr Toibin said: “We in Aontú will this week bring forward a bill which seeks to force the Government to launch a full scale independent public investigation into the Government’s handling of the pandemic in nursing homes.
“The families of those who died in residential care facilities deserve answers and closure.”
The head of Aontú wants a probe to be launched into issues such as claims PPE and other equipment for nursing homes was “intercepted” by the HSE and the ending of nursing home visiting during the pandemic.
The number of nursing homes affected by outbreaks has declined in recent months with eight outbreaks recorded in the week ending 13 November.
Around 24,000 people in long-term residential centres have received a COVID-19 booster.
