The Third Age Observatory has sounded the alarm over the risk of a coronavirus outbreak at old people’s homes.
Its chairman Dimos Antoniou said there was concern that health care professionals who work at hospitals are also caring for residents of retirement homes.
There are about 6000 elderly residents in such homes around the island and all are considered high risk to any virus outbreak
Antoniou called for preventive measures before it it too late, warning that just prohibiting visits by family members was not enough.
Letters have been sent by the Observatory and the Organised Patients Association to the Health and Labour Ministers asking for drastic measures.
“We are calling on them to carry out checks to ensure compliance with decrees on the care of residents as well as regards protocols to protect elderly residents who belong to vulnerable groups,” he said.
All hygiene measures must be adhered to by residents and personnel, he added.
And he noted that a recent study by the Ombudsman had found that some of these homes needed significant improvements in infrastructure and proper care of residents.
