Victoria’s aged care residents are under siege from coronavirus, with 30 facilities locked down
Nursing homes across Victoria are working desperately to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks from turning deadly. There are now 30 aged care facilities in lockdown as fears grow over the virus spreading through regional homes.
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Nursing homes across the state are under siege from coronavirus, with residents of more than 30 aged care facilities under lockdown and others in hospital.
An outbreak at Werribee’s Glendale Aged Care grew to 23 cases on Saturday, while Menarock Life Aged Care in Essendon is linked to at least 38 cases and Estia Health in Ardeer has 36 cases.
Fears of COVID-19’s spread to regional areas are also rising with single cases at Bethlehem Aged Care in Bendigo and Ballarat’s Bill Crawford Lodge in the past 24 hours.
Arcare also confirmed it had a large COVID-19 outbreak at its Craigieburn residence, which includes 15 residents, two team members and two health care workers.
Three of the Craigieburn residents have been hospitalised since the home was placed in lockdown on July 12.
An Arcare statement on Saturday said an allied health professional was asymptomatic while at work but later tested positive to COVID-19 when they developed symptoms.
“We have been doing everything possible to support clients’ health, emotional and social needs throughout this time,” the statement said.
“We’d like to reassure all families and friends of Arcare Craigieburn that our thoughts are with them during this difficult time and that we have the people and processes in place to effectively manage the situation.”
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton revealed nine cases have been linked to St Basil’s Home for the Aged in Fawkner, while a fresh outbreak has been identified at BUPA Edithvale.
Despite the spread among some of Victoria’s most vulnerable settings, families do not appear to be taking elderly loved ones from aged care homes as they did during the first wave of coronavirus.
The second wave of the virus has prompted State Government ministers to warn there was “sad news coming” with many Victorian families expected to be affected by the outbreak.
A testing blitz has not been able to prevent more cases in aged care homes, with confirmed coronavirus cases emerging at Brighton, Greensborough, Plenty, Werribee and Sunshine on Friday.
One of the deaths announced on Friday was linked to an outbreak at Menarock Life Aged Care in Essendon.
Patricia Sparrow, Chief Executive at Aged And Community Services Australia (ACSA), said keeping staff and residents safe was paramount.
Ms Sparrow said while she was not yet aware of families taking residents out of aged care facilities during the second wave, some had done so at the start of the pandemic.
“The situation now in Victoria, we’re all working together,” she said.
“All our providers are working really hard to keep COVID out and (to ensure) they are prepared if they do get a case.”
She said the sector was working with families to keep everyone informed.
“It’s worrying for everyone, it’s an understandable concern from families,” she said. “But we also don’t want people to miss out on critical care.”
Ms Sparrow also said ACSA, which represents not-for-profit providers, was calling for all aged care residents who test positive to COVID-19 to be transferred to hospital.
“We think that gives the person the best treatment available and for us as providers it allows us to try and limit the spread,” Ms Sparrow said.
“We have multiple people in a facility we’re trying to protect and sending a person to hospital is the best for them.”
Ms Sparrow said the ACSA had raised the issue with government for an “overall policy” to be established.
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