Just 53 nursing homes avoided Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic 

The latest report by Hiqa describes the "huge impact" the pandemic has had on nursing home residents. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland

Just 53 nursing homes across the entire country have managed to escape with no cases of Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic, with the latest report by the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) showing a second year of rising unexpected deaths from the sector reported to its chief inspector.

The report by the health watchdog outlines how last year was another "difficult" period for nursing homes, with 516 facilities reporting at least one confirmed Covid-19 case among staff or residents.