More than 2,600 patients caught Covid-19 in hospitals between June 2020 and February this year, it has been revealed.
The HSE have admitted that 2,676 people contracted the virus in hospitals across the country.
The answer was given to Aontu leader Peadar Toibin, who asked the HSE to disclose the figure.
He said: “The information that I have received shows that from June 2020 to February 2021, over 2,600 people caught Covid in hospital.
“Given that this is roughly half the timescale of the illness in the state, the total number is likely to be far higher.
“Hospitals should be the location of treatment and cure, however in reality, for many people, they were the place where they caught this deadly virus.
“I know of many families that had loved ones enter hospital for non Covid reasons only to catch Covid in hospital and lose their life.
“Indeed the hospital setting was by far one of the most dangerous places for Covid to circulate.
“Outside nursing homes, hospitals contained the most at risk sector of society.
“While there is no doubt that most hospitals did their best to keep the illness out, there are examples where serious questions need in terms of management need to be answered.”
