Covid sweeping through aged care homes

Covid outbreaks have been detected at more than 100 Victorian aged care homes, with health authorities on high alert. See where the cases are.

A residents being removed St Basils Greek Orthodox aged care home during a deadly Covid outbreak at the home in 2020. Picture: Jason Edwards

More than 170 Victorian nursing homes are facing a Covid outbreak, including four homes that authorities hold concerns for and are closely monitoring.

The latest federal weekly aged care report reveals 176 Victorian facilities have active outbreaks, infecting more than 1000 residents and 430 staff members.

A facility is defined as having an outbreak if at least one resident, or two staff members, test positive.

The Herald Sun understands the number of aged care outbreaks has remained relatively stable over the past few weeks, but local public health units are working with four facilities of concern.

It comes as the omicron subvariants BA.5/BA.5 drive an increase in community cases.

The aged care report reveals a Boronia facility, Clovelly Cottage, is home to the largest outbreak in Victoria.

More than 110 cases — a figure which includes those who have now recovered — have been linked to the current outbreak as of July 8, including 77 residents.

The outbreak at Heritage Gardens in Bayswater North has recorded 103 cases and three residents have died.

Mill Park’s Bethel Aged Care is facing the third largest outbreak with 81 cases, followed by Anzac Lodge Private Nursing Home in Coburg North which listed 75 cases.

Abberfield Aged Care Facility was fifth on the list with almost 70 cases.

Staff wearing PPE inside an aged care facility. Picture: Nicholas Eagar

A federal health and aged care department spokesmen said they were supporting facilities “with necessary resources”.

“This includes … a weekly supply of rapid antigen test (RAT) kits for screening staff and visitors prior to an outbreak and testing residents and staff once an outbreak begins; pre-placement of antivirals in all aged care facilities ahead of their listing on the PBS to ensure quick prescription and access,” he said.

“(And) providing access to supplementary workforce through contracted providers and by increasing access to a broader casual agency pool.”

It comes just days after WorkSafe charged St Basil’s Home for the Aged over a deadly Covid outbreak in 2020 that led to the death of 45 residents.

It’s understood 94 residents and 94 staff members tested positive during the outbreak, which struck during Victoria’s second wave.

The matter is listed for a filing hearing at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on August 1.