Aged care commission investigates Covid outbreak at Geelong facility

The aged care watchdog is investigating a Covid outbreak at a Geelong aged care facility that has seen five residents hospitalised.

The aged care watchdog is investigating a Covid outbreak at a local residential facility.

It’s understood five residents from The Belmont aged care facility have been hospitalised with Covid.

A federal government report released Friday confirmed five residents and a staff member from the home, operated by TLC Healthcare, had tested positive.

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission said it was aware of concerns in relation to a Covid-19 outbreak at TLC’s The Belmont.

“The commission is investigating these concerns,” it said.

The Belmont aged care facility

“The Aged Care Act 1997 requires aged care providers to provide safe and quality aged care at all times, in accordance with the Aged Care Quality Standards.

“The commission regulates the sector using these standards (among other legal provisions).

“Where the commission identifies noncompliance, we take regulatory action that is appropriate and proportionate to the level of assessed risk.”

A relative of one of The Belmont residents hospitalised with Covid alleged TLC’s communication with their family had not been sufficient.

The relative, who did not wish to be named, said they were angry and “extremely frustrated” with TLC’s lack of communication.

Last month, TLC refused to detail the outbreak on privacy grounds when first questioned by the Addy.

Following the Geelong Advertiser revealing the outbreak, the relative said the families and community needed to know the truth.

Exterior shots of aged care home

The relative accused TLC of downplaying the outbreak at the facility, located in Belmont, but said Geelong hospital staff had been fantastic.

The relative said it was a relief TLC had vaccinated its residents early, and that’s what likely “saved” their elderly family member.

Barwon South West public health unit director Prof Eugene Athan said there were five aged care residents from Belmont in Geelong hospital with Covid.

In a statement on Monday, TLC said to ensure the privacy and dignity of residents, staff and contractors, it would not be publicly discussing the circumstances of any individuals in its care or employment.

“It is TLC’s policy to transfer any resident to a hospital if that is the recommendation of their treating general practitioner, for any reason,” TLC said.

“All TLC homes across Melbourne and Geelong, including The Belmont, are currently free of COVID-19.
“TLC is reopening The Belmont to visitors on Wednesday.”

Last year, before the vaccine rollout commenced, a Highton aged care home was struck by a deadly Covid outbreak.

The coronavirus outbreak claimed the lives of eight residents at Opal South Valley, now known as Highton Gardens Care Community.

Originally published as Aged care commission investigates Covid outbreak at Geelong facility