Half of 2024's reported COVID-19 deaths in aged care homes

More than 200 aged care residents have died from COVID-19 since the start of the year, about half the nearly 400 total deaths recorded from the virus in the community - showing aged care residents are the most vulnerable cohort to the virus. From the beginning of the year until 7 March, 208 residents have died from COVID. Between 1 January and 5 March, 385 COVID-related deaths have been reported to the Department of Health and Aged Care. 12 residents died in the week to 7 March 2024, bringing total deaths from COVID in residential aged care since the start of the pandemic to 6,335 aged care residents. In the week to 7 March 2024, 240 homes reported an outbreak, seven more than the previous week and accounting for nearly 10% of all aged care homes, according to the latest Department of Health and Aged Care COVID data. There were more than 1,000 COVID cases in residential aged care recorded during the week, an increase of nearly 150 over the week. Nearly 3,000 residents were vaccinated during the week, bringing the vaccination rate up to 39%.