COVID-19 numbers on the rise in residential aged care again

There were COVID-19 outbreaks in 205 aged care homes as of 23 March 2023, up from 178 homes the week before, on 16 March, and 156 homes on 9 March.

Case numbers are also increasing, with 953 resident cases as of 23 March, 759 cases on 16 March, and 651 cases as of 9 March.

Deaths have remained steady, with 18 deaths from aged care residents with COVID both this week and last week, and 17 deaths the week prior.

From 1 January 2022 to 21 March 2023, 5.6% of all deaths in aged care facilities were attributed to COVID.

Since the beginning of the Omicron outbreak in December 2021, 5.5% of aged care deaths were attributed to COVID.

Perhaps surprisingly, information from the Department of Health and Aged Care states that, “Over the course of the pandemic, all-cause excess mortality in Residential Aged Care was below expected numbers in 2020, and within expected range in 2021.”

The surge workforce is still in use, with 777 shifts filled in the week to 24 March 2023 in 41 aged care homes. The surge workforce includes GPs, nurses, care workers, allied health, and executives.