Covid claims second Far North victim as aged care cases spike

A second Covid death has been recorded in the Far North while aged care residents and staff are facing rising numbers of cases at their facilities.

FAR North residential aged care facilities have been hit hard by Covid with at least seven homes impacted.

Those in aged care are particularly vulnerable to Covid with 44 of 105 Covid deaths statewide being aged care residents.

At Edge Hill Orchards at Manoora, 24 residents have Covid along with 14 staff.

At Tully District Nursing Home there are seven resident cases, five staff cases and Ozcare Malanda has two resident cases.

Bupa Cairns aged care centre on Swallow Street has recorded Covid-19 positive cases. It is not known if booster shots have been delivered at aged care facilities across the Far North. Picture: Brendan Radke

Bupa Cairns has four resident cases and eight staff cases. Bupa Mt Sheridan has one resident and eight staff cases, and Regis Whitfield has three staff cases.

The Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service data shows there have been two Covid deaths to date from 15,425 cases across the region – it is not yet known how old they were or whether they were residents of aged care facilities.

Across the nation, Covid has devastated aged care facilities with 163 deaths in 2022 and 1,134 since the start of the pandemic.

Residents at many nursing homes are still waiting for booster shots to be provided, with the federal department of health saying it will be done by the end of the month.

The Australian Medical Association today called for booster shots to be prioritised for critical essential workers, including those in health care and vulnerable people such as aged care residents.

And a peak body for aged care is calling on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to deploy the Australian Defence Force to provide emergency support to overwhelmed aged care workers at nursing homes.

The Regis Aged Care residential facility on McManus Street, Whitfield, has recorded Covid positive cases among it's elderly residents. Picture: Brendan Radke

Aged and Community Services Australia president Michele O’Neil said there were severe staff shortages.

“The escalating crisis in aged care has left services around the country reeling, putting care for older Australians at risk due to chronic staffing shortages,” she said.

“Older people are at risk of missing out on essential care because of this.

“Lockdowns are restricting many residents to their rooms.”

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has said private hospital staff may be able to assist aged care.

“Aged care staff are exhausted and burnt out, with many working for days around the clock,” Ms O’Neil said.

“There is no end in sight yet, and we must plan for things to peak before they get better.”

She said aged care staff were on the frontline of the fight against Covid.

A Royal Commission Into Aged Care Covid special report heard evidence of the effect of the pandemic on those working in aged care.

It noted the aged care workforce is under-resourced and overworked.

“It is now also traumatised,” the report stated.

“Care workers develop close relationships with residents – many are grieving for residents who have died after contracting Covid.

“Others are anxious about bringing the virus into their workplace or home to their loved ones,” it stated.

A Bupa spokeswoman said a booster clinic was scheduled for both Mt Sheridan and Cairns later this week.

“Residents are only isolated if they have tested positive or are symptomatic awaiting test results,” she said.

“In cases where our residents’ families are not to be able to visit their loved ones, we have let them know that our team can work with them to arrange ‘virtual visits’ using digital devices such as iPads or phones, or via our homes’ windows.”

Infinite Care spokeswoman Rebecca Pacey said strict measures and precautions were in place.

“Rest assured in these challenging times we have our resident’s best interest at heart,” she said.

“We understand the heightened concern and anxiety being felt by families and in the community.”

A Regis spokeswoman said residents and staff at Regis Whitfield had their third jab last week.

Visitors are welcomed on compassionate and end of life grounds.

She said Regis had comprehensive infection prevention and control measures in place.

Originally published as Covid claims second Far North victim as aged care cases spike