The operator of a nursing home in the east of Ireland has described an outbreak of Covid-19 on the premises as "surreal and brutal".
The woman said a "considerable" number of residents in the 34-bed facility had tested positive for the virus, and three patients had died in recent days.
"The ambulance service came down last Friday and tested everyone. We got results the next day and it was very upsetting. A good many residents had tested Covid positive.
"Unfortunately we have had bereavements. It has been especially difficult because we know residents are so vulnerable and they can't have a family member hold their hand and be around their bed."
Speaking to RTÉ's Morning Ireland, the operator said that she had been concerned about the potential for infection at the beginning of last month and made the decision to restrict visitors to the nursing home on 6 March.
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However, when she consulted the authorities she was told the restrictions were unnecessary.
"I was told there was no need. We were to keep doing what we were doing.
"Thankfully Nursing Homes Ireland stepped in and recommended visitor restrictions," she said.
As the Covid-19 pandemic developed she remained concerned at the pace of State supports and intervention.
"My words were - it will be potentially catastrophic to nursing homes if Covid comes in, and it has been.
"We needed to plan at the earliest opportunity and the guidelines should have been in place for long term care facilities as a priority."
"Despite all of this we remain positive. We have a great energy because it is so important for the residents who are so dear to us."
The woman said that supplies of Personal Protective Equipment remained insufficient and that initially she had sourced gowns and masks independently.
"I wrote on the 13th of March to say I was very concerned. We needed contingency and we needed it then."
The HSE is now delivering PPE to the home but not in the volume required. Gowns sent in recent days weren't enough "for even an hour," she explained.
The nursing home operator also raised concerns that testing at homes was restricted once two positive tests had been received. Other symptomatic residents were presumed positive and were not tested.
"I raised it with authorities because I felt everybody had a right to be tested. Staff need to know to deliver care and residents and families have the right to know."
Following a change in criteria last week the operator requested tests for all residents and a considerable number tested positive.
A number of patients in the nursing home are currently displaying severe symptoms and "window visits" are being facilitated with families.
"It’s very sad. The families will come to the window and we leave them to talk. If they want to pass messages inside we do that. It's not easy. We are dealing with residents that we love."
Two priests recently visited to bless the home, but did so from the car park.
Paying tribute to "dedicated and courageous staff" the woman described the current conditions as "beyond belief."
She said:"I’m running on adrenaline and I’m working with a team that is doing everything they can. They are absolutely fantastic and working as many hours as they can.
"Despite all of this we remain positive. We have a great energy because it is so important for the residents who are so dear to us."
