THE HSE HAS said that it is “monitoring the situation” after six patients died in a Co Donegal nursing home.

Dr James Reilly TD, Minister for Health and Ms Kathleen Lynch TD, Minister for Older People said they “learned with regret of the deaths of six patients in a private nursing home in Co Donegal over the past two weeks”.

The Irish Times reports that the patients died from a suspected respiratory bug.

The Ministers have been advised that the HSE has put in place all appropriate treatment and control measures and is closely managing and monitoring the situation.

In addition to the actions being taken by the HSE, Minister Reilly discussed the matter with the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) today, and HIQA will visit the home tonight and tomorrow “to ensure that all action is taken in the best interests of the care and welfare of the residents and staff”.

The Ministers are being kept fully informed as this situation evolves and said they express their condolences to the families concerned.