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.

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