Department of Health urges Victorian aged care providers to test outbreak management plans amid community COVID-19 outbreaks – as cases in residential and home care drop to zero again

Providers have been put on notice that they must be prepared for potential outbreaks as Victoria recorded its fifth straight day of more than 60 new coronavirus cases with half now outside of the locked down ‘hot zones’.

“We encourage you to test your outbreak management plan and infection control protocols to prevent and minimise the spread of COVID-19,” the Department wrote in its latest newsletter.

“For residential aged care providers this includes implementing screening of staff and visitors entering the facilities.”

The Department adds that it is “critical” that all providers promote the importance of infection prevention to staff, residents and visitors including good hand hygiene, coughing etiquette, cleaning and disinfecting and maintaining social distancing.

They also helpfully include the details for Victorian services to contact in the event of a COVID-19 case including for the Victorian Public Health Unit (PHU) and the Department.

Victoria has now recorded 16 days of double digit increases with 442 active cases.

However, it is worth noting that the number of cases among Australian aged care residents and home care recipients has again dropped to zero – after two recent cases in Victoria recovered.

A testament to the sector that it is keeping the virus out even as community transmission goes up.