This story is part of a series: Inside Ireland's Covid Battle It's just after 11am on a bright May morning and nursing staff in one of the Covid-19 wards at St James's Hospital have gathered to spend a final few moments with a dying patient.
Patrick Commins, aged 97, contracted Covid-19. His family have allowed RTÉ to tell his story. "With this patient, an elderly gentleman, we have entered the end of life stages and we're focusing on his comfort care," explains Dr Louise McKenna, Infectious Disease Registrar.
Patrick had been living in sheltered accommodation at Dublin's Granby House. His next-of-kin, a sister, lives in Canada so the hospital has facilitated visits from his carer, Lisa Connolly.