Sep 02, 2020

Cautious optimism as Victorian aged care coronavirus numbers improve

The coronavirus outbreak in Victorian aged care homes has had devastating repercussions, with 425 of the state’s 570 deaths occurring within care homes. 

However, the crisis may be easing with the Victorian aged care response centre (VACRC), reporting that there is now only one care facility still labeled as high risk. 

When the VACRC was established in early August, 13 facilities were considered high risk, and since January 1st 2020, Victoria has seen outbreaks in 163 aged care facilities. 

In the past week, the number of facilities in Victoria with current outbreaks has dropped by 21 from 123 to 102. 

There have been a cumulative total of 4,039 cases in aged care consisting of 1,799 residents, 1,744 staff and 496 close contacts of staff of residents. 

Let’s hope the strict precautions that have been in place since early August may finally be starting to take effect.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

The impact of lockdown on residents in care like my grandma

A few months ago, when it looked like coronavirus in Australia was clearing and restrictions were lifting, I was in Sydney. While I was there, I was taking every opportunity I had to visit my grandma in her care home. Due to coronavirus, I wasn’t allowed to actually enter the premises, but carers would sit her by a window, and I could talk to her from outside. Grandma is living with dementia and so would always question why I wasn't allowed to come in to give her a hug. Read More

Aged care increasingly vulnerable as COVID-19 crisis escalates 

  Victoria’s chief health officer has confirmed that aged care facilities have been one of the largest sources of COVID-19 infection in the current crisis, an alarming admission considering the vulnerability of elderly people to the virus. Dr Brett Sutton said in a press conference today that a significant number of COVID-19 cases were contracted... Read More

What do aged care workers really think about mandatory vaccinations?

Now mandatory for aged care workers, the government will monitor the situation closely to ensure there is not a mass exodus of staff in an industry already struggling to attract and retain workers. Here’s what you think. Read More
Advertisement