‘Six deaths a day’: Australian aged care Covid deaths explode

Covid is sweeping through aged care homes, with the virus killing at least six people a day. See where the outbreaks are.

Covid is killing at least six people a day in Australian aged care homes, as new figures show two thirds of elderly residents have not had a booster in the last six months.

Government data reveals 48 people died from the virus in aged care facilities in the week up to November 16, up from 18 the week before.

Infections are also on the rise according to NSW Health, which has seen increased emergency department presentations in the last week, mainly from young children and those over 65.

Some homes recorded huge Covid numbers. Last week, one reported it had 57 residents and 28 staff sick with the virus.

In total there were 2,425 active Covid cases across 324 residential aged care homes. Of those, 137 were new outbreaks.

Health Minister Mark Butler at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Health Minister Mark Butler announced new vaccines have been approved. He said the new XBB 1.5 vaccine would help protect people from the latest variants circulating in the community.

The announcement was welcomed by Immunisation Coalition who warned Covid cases would continue to rise all around the country, and were expected to reach their peak around Christmas time - for the third year in a row.

It urged people in risk groups due a booster - those aged 75 and over or with serious underlying medical conditions - to get protected as soon as possible and not wait for the new XBB 1.5 vaccine.

“The announcement of the new monovalent vaccines is great news, but they will not be available for another three weeks,” Professor Robert Booy, chairman of the Immunisation Coalition’s Scientific Advisory Committee, said.

Covid cases in aged care homes are rising. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

“People aged 75 years or older, people with major medical conditions, travellers, and healthcare workers should get the vaccine that is available to them now.”

Prof Booy said the two new monovalent booster vaccines soon to come on line (manufactured by Pfizer and Moderna) would be available to those who meet the respective eligibility criteria.

But in the meantime, there was an effective Novavax vaccine already available.

Prof Gary Grohmann, a senior virologist with the Immunisation Coalition said the new boosters would provide better coverage for current circulating Omicron strains.

United Workers Union Aged Care Director Carolyn Smith said the impact of Covid was a serious threat to health in aged care facilities for residents and workers alike, and the uptick in cases was disturbing.

However, she said while aged care workers were feeling nervous, the workforce was stronger now than during the Omicron wave thanks to the 15 per cent pay increase introduced by the Albanese government.

NSW

Deaths were recorded in seven homes in NSW last week including Anglicare Barry Marsh House, Bupa Sutherland, Calvary The Mariner, Chamberlain Gardens Aged Care, Heritage Botany, Martyn Claver Aged Care, St Annes Nursing Home.

St Annes Nursing Home had one of the biggest outbreaks with 44 residents battling Covid, and 29 staff sick with the virus.

QUEENSLAND

There were deaths at a further seven homes in Queensland including at Arcare Parkinson, Caravonica Waters, Palm Lake Care Bargara, Sir James Terrace, Sylvan Woods Nursing Home, The Good Shepherd Nursing Home, Wheller Gardens - St Marks House.

Ozcare Villa Vincent had one of the biggest outbreaks in the state, with 29 residents sick and 23 staff ill.

VICTORIA

There were 11 homes in Victoria that recorded Covid deaths, including Ashleigh House Hostel, Baptcare Abbey Gardens Community, BlueCross Sheridan Hall Caulfield, Calvary Balmoral Grove, Hillview Bunyip Aged Care Inc, Kirkbrae Kilsyth Nursing Home, MiCare Overbeek Lodge, Sunnyside Lutheran Retirement Village, The Birches, Vermont Aged Care, Yarriambiack Lodge Nursing Home.

Sunnyside Lutheran Retirement Village had 34 residents and 19 staff with Covid. While Casey Aged Care had 39 residents and six staff ill with the virus.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Just one home in South Australia - Estia Health Encounter Bay - lost at least one resident to Covid, while battling a huge outbreak with 50 residents and eight staff sick with the virus. ACH Group Residential Care - Kapara also had a high number of infections, with 47 residents and 13 staff with Covid.

TASMANIA AND WA

Toosey Aged and Community Care in Tasmania reported at least one death due to Covid.

Germanus Kent House, Juniper The Residency, Midland Nursing Home and The Queenslea in WA also recorded deaths. Last week there were 57 residents and 28 staff with Covid at Midland Nursing Home.

ACT AND NT

Villaggio Sant Antonio Hostel, ACT, recorded at least one Covid death.

Old Timers Northern Territory and Pearl Supported Care in the NT also recorded deaths.

Originally published as ‘Six deaths a day’: Australian aged care Covid deaths explode