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Your email address will not be published.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

Will COVID-19 be the impetus for aged-care reform?

  The crisis enveloping aged care at the moment could provide the motivation for reform in the sector that has long been plagued by inaction and intractable debates over key issues. “Aged care is really at a juncture at the moment,” StewartBrown partner, Grant Corderoy, told HelloCare. Undoubtedly there are significant problems in the sector... Read More

Emergency laws to protect families pulling loved ones from homes during COVID-19

New laws will mean families can pull their loved one out of an aged care facility during emergencies without being charged additional fees and without fear of losing their bed. The new Bill, which the former Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt introduced into parliament on Wednesday, 13 May, will create a new type of ‘leave’... Read More

Faster public health response might have saved some aged care residents’ lives: Brendan Murphy

Federal Health Department Secretary Brendan Murphy has admitted some COVID deaths in aged care might have been prevented if there had been a quicker public health response. Read More
Advertisement