COVID-19 set to disrupt Christmas yet again

48 aged care residents died from COVID-19 in the week to 16 November, the highest number in nearly six months. With cases in the community forecast to rise in the weeks ahead, Christmas plans in residential aged care could be disrupted for the third year in a row. There are outbreaks in 324 aged care homes, a slight decline on last week. Case numbers are also down slightly, although there are nearly 2,500 cases among residential aged care staff and residents. While lockdowns are no longer mandatory during outbreaks, COVID still places a heavy burden on residential aged care, with quarantining, staff absences, increased testing, and heightened infection control measures all taking a toll. And this week, Old Timers aged care facility in Alice Springs went into lockdown after more than one-third of residents contracted the virus. Only 37% of residents have received a booster shot in the last six months, despite the heightened risk. “With vaccination rates this low, it is clear that the Aged Care Minister has completely abandoned the older Australians she promised to care for,” said Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care Senator Anne Ruston. Emergency leave for aged care residents, allowing them to stay with friends or family during outbreaks, is set to end on 31 December.