
EAST Londonderry MLA Claire Sugden has welcomed a new plan to regularly test staff and residents in Northern Ireland’s care homes.
From Monday (August 3) all staff in “green homes” – those that do not have a confirmed case – will be tested every two weeks. Residents will be tested every month.
The tests will identify any active cases.
“It’s vital that we keep the most vulnerable and elderly in society safe, and this testing plan should give reassurance to those in care homes and their families.
“The Northern Ireland figures on COVID are reassuring, but the disease hasn’t gone away and we must remain vigilant, particularly when we move into the colder months after the summer, when the disease could become more prevalent.
“That the plan for testing in care homes will remain under review is also welcome – we need to be flexible if and when our approach needs to change.”