COVID-19 numbers rise in residential aged care

COVID-19 cases have ticked higher again in the last set of data available for the week to 18 May 2023, as Australia faces the fifth wave of the pandemic. In the week to 18 May 2023, there were 2,191 cases recorded in residential aged care, and outbreaks in 453 aged care homes.

The latest surge in cases is being labelled Australia’s fifth wave – and largely consists of Omicron cases. The surge in numbers is being driven by the cooler weather, according to reports in the ABC, which causes people to spend more time indoors. Case numbers are expected to begin declining again in June. Fortunately, deaths in aged care remain at around half their peak reached two weeks ago. There were 38 deaths in residential aged care in the week to 18 May, compared with 79 in the week to 4 May.