Gardaí are predicted to launch a legal investigation following an outbreak of Covid-19 at a care residence, where it is alleged a employee hid a positive check final result from supervisors and continued doing the job.

esterday, the Herald unveiled an aged woman resident and a next staff member contracted the virus at the facility, which caters for people today with intellectual disabilities.

Another four staff associates and people have also been in isolation considering that early last 7 days, when administration initially uncovered of the favourable check final result.

The administration explained none of the infected men and women needed hospitalisation and all ended up recovering effectively.

According to resources, a preliminary inquiry has founded that the get hold of information and facts given at the HSE Covid test centre two months in the past did not discover the person as a care employee. As a final result, the HSE call tracing method did not immediately speak to the care residence when the woman’s exam proved ­positive 3 days later on.

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It’s understood an formal criticism will be built to gardaí up coming 7 days pursuing the completion of a preliminary inquiry involving the care management and the HSE.

A senior source claimed beneath current regulations and legislation the HSE is obliged “quickly” to refer the subject for criminal investigation.

“One particular component of any investigation would be to establish if there is evidence of an offence of reckless endangerment,” the resource claimed.

Administration at the care facility requested a lockdown on Monday, August 17, when it was found the employee had continued searching after the two people, including the aged woman, irrespective of becoming knowledgeable of the check outcome.

The worker took the Covid test on Wednesday, August 12. She had been get hold of traced by the HSE soon after her son, a meat manufacturing unit employee, had proved favourable for the virus.

It is comprehended the treatment employee was informed of her positive outcome three days later on, on Saturday 15, when she was doing the job a weekend shift supplying complete-time treatment for the two residents of the household, which includes the aged lady.

Resources verified management ended up not informed of the examination outcome and the employee ongoing operating till her shift finished on the Sunday. The problem arrived to light the following working day.

Any prison investigation is probably to attempt to build why the particular person did not notify her employers of being contacted for a take a look at.

The information specified to the HSE and the alleged failure to promptly inform administrators at the house will also be ­central to the inquiry.

A assertion from the care residence provider mentioned it “became informed on Monday, August 17, that a staff members member” experienced gained a good test for Covid.

The statement added that the family members of “all the assistance consumers that have been exposed to this employees member” have been educated.