Geelong’s record flu season derailed as case numbers ease

Geelong’s flu fears could be eased with no recent hospital admissions recorded.

Influenza cases in Geelong have slowed after initial fears the region could be on track for its worst year on record for infections.

Barwon South West public health unit infectious diseases physician Nomvuyo Mothobi said over the past month there had been a significant decrease in influenza A and B diagnosed via emergency department specimen testing.

“As a result (we) have had no recent hospital admissions at University Hospital Geelong for influenza,” Dr Mothobi said.

“Total influenza cases across the Barwon South West have slowed, with numbers decreasing by 68 per cent in the last fortnight compared to the fortnight prior.”

Earlier this year, Greater Geelong had recorded more cases than over the same period in 2019, which was its worst year on record for flu, with a total of 2252 cases.

But on Wednesday Victorian health department data showed Greater Geelong had recorded 1323 flu cases so far this year, compared to 1729 over the same period in 2019.

Greater Geelong recorded just five cases in 2021 and 152 in 2020, according to the figures.

“Pleasingly across the state influenza immunisation uptake in 2022 to date is higher than this time in 2020 and 2021,” Dr Mothobi said.

“If you are unwell and have flu-like symptoms, get yourself tested for Covid-19.

“If you have tested negative on a PCR or regular rapid antigen tests (RAT), stay at home and repeat your RAT in 24 hours’ time and consider seeing your GP to get testing for influenza.

“We are currently seeing more cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) compared with influenza, however RSV cases are also reducing.”

RSV symptoms can include a runny nose, coughing, sneezing and fever.

Meanwhile, 241 new coronavirus cases were reported for Greater Geelong on Wednesday.

The municipality had 1336 active cases listed by the health department.

The Surf Coast recorded 30 new cases (138 active), the Borough of Queenscliffe four (17), Golden Plains 13 (118) and Colac-Otway 16 (79).

Victoria recorded 4732 new Covid infections and 15 deaths.

There were 26,476 active cases in Victoria.

The health department said the number of active cases in the state continued to decline from a peak of 71,428 recorded on July 23.

Surprise audit exposes aged care home’s failings

Catering for residents’ hygiene at a Colac aged care facility was being compromised by staffing woes, the aged care watchdog heard during a surprise audit.

In March the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission conducted a comprehensive reaccreditation site audit at Mercy Place Colac,and found the service non-compliant with four of the 42 requirements of the national quality standards.

The facility was deemed non-compliant with requirements related to safe and effective care; the service environment;workforce; and governance systems.

A performance report published by the commission last month said the assessment team had found residents did not get safe and effective personal care after consumers, representatives and staff raised concerns about not meeting personal hygiene preferences due to short staffing.

It said staff reported they did not have time to attend to personal care needs in a timely manner and indicated they always felt rushed.

A review of staff rosters showed that the service was unable to cover 54 shifts in the previous fortnight for clinical, care, kitchen, cleaning and lifestyle staff, the report said.

“The call bell response time data showed that there were a number of calls with a wait time over 15 minutes, with one call being responded to in three hours,” the report said.

The report revealed observations of equipment stored improperly, compromising safe storage. Picture: iStock

The report, prepared by a delegate of the commissioner, revealed observations included oxygen tanks stored with other chemicals, therefore compromising safe storage of these items.

It noted the aged care provider had indicated a review would be undertaken.

In a statement the aged care commission said on the basis of its findings, it decided to reaccredit Mercy Place Colac for a period of 2.5 years to February 2025.

“This is less than the three year accreditation period typically determined for a service demonstrating full compliance and/or with a strong track record of compliance,” it said.

“The commission is continuing to monitor the service and may take further regulatory action proportionate to risk if the service does not demonstrate improvement.”

A Mercy Health spokesperson said: “We have worked closely with the commission since its site visit earlier this year and we have already initiated positive actions to address the matters raised.”

“As documented, the commission has noted that we are taking steps to address these areas of concern to ensure we can continue to guarantee the high quality of care for which we are known,” the spokesperson said.

“Our responsibility to care for our residents will always be our priority and wherever there are suggestions for improvements we can make to that care we will be attentive.

“The work responding to the commission’s audit findings is now substantially progressed.”

‘Neglect’: families pulling loved ones out of aged care

CONCERNS over staffing and Covid are driving families to remove elderly loved ones from residential aged care.

Geelong resident Paul Inturrisi’s 95-year-old mum Giuseppa was in aged care across two facilities for about nine weeks before moving out in July.

Giuseppa initially stayed in a facility she had been to for respite previously, which the family had been pleased with.

Paul Inturrisi moved his mother Giuseppa Inturrisi out of residential aged care and back home Picture: Mark Wilson

“But I think with Covid the whole landscape’s changed,” Mr Inturrisi said.

“There’s a huge shortage of staff in my opinion. You don’t get the care you’d expect.

“Because we were so disappointed with the first one compared to what we were used to I thought, ‘we’ll look for something else’.”

“We looked at a new facility, like a resort, but again, huge staff shortages.

“I would not fault the first facility or second one in the physical sense … but I don’t think there’s the care you need.”

The 70-year-old said there were instances where his mum had clearly been neglected, and that she was happy to leave residential aged care.

Prior to being in residential aged care Giuseppa lived next door to her son, and in July, she moved into his home after leaving aged care.

A carer from Home Instead Geelong looks after Giuseppa for two hours a day during the week.

The rest of the time Mr Inturrisi and his wife, Serafina, care for his mother, with Mr Inturrisi saying he was incredibly grateful for his wife’s support.

He said Covid was “no doubt” a contributing factor to their decision to move Giuseppa home.

Giuseppa, who moved to Australia from Italy in the 1950s, has also reverted to speaking Italian in her old age which “absolutely” made aged care more difficult.

Mr Inturrisi said while caring for his mother had its challenges it was also satisfying.

Home Instead Geelong chief executive Giovanni Siano said the business was seeing growing numbers of people who had taken loved ones out of residential aged care to be looked after at home.

Mr Siano said there were a number of factors driving this.

“What we are hearing is certainly the (residential aged care) Covid outbreaks are a trigger point for families,” he said.

“Further to that there has been a worsening workforce shortage.

“People are more aware of the in home care options.”

Federal health department figures showed in the Barwon South West aged care planning region in 2021-22, 60 people were recorded as exiting permanent residential care with the departure reason recorded as “return to family or home”, following 66 in 2020-21.

In 2019-20 that figure was at 48.

A federal health department spokeswoman said nationally, the number of people exiting permanent residential care with the departure reason recorded as “return to family or home” had remained stable in recent years.

‘Lifesaver’: The drugs freeing up hospital beds

The region’s public health boss says while this Covid wave has seen higher hospitalisations, daily cases are trending downwards across the Barwon South West region.

Barwon South West public health unit director Eugene Athan said there was a rolling seven day average of 469 new cases per day in the region.

“The total number of Covid hospitalisations has been higher in this wave due to the higher number of community cases compared with previous waves,” Professor Athan said.

“Hospitalisations are occurring mainly in those who are not up-to-date with their Covid vaccinations.”

As of Wednesday night there were 55 patients with coronavirus at Barwon Health, including 10 cleared patients.

One was in ICU.

The eligibility criteria for receiving coronavirus oral antiviral treatments was expanded last month.

All patients aged over 70 are now eligible, and people in other age brackets can qualify depending on risk factors.

“Antiviral medications are available for Covid-19 positive people at risk of severe disease,” Prof Athan said.

“Antiviral medications reduce the risk of severe disease, hospital admission and death.

“They may also reduce the risk of you passing on Covid to your household.”

Freshwater Creek 66-year-old Simon Townsend is among those to have benefited from antivirals.

Freshwater Creek resident Simon Townsend recently had Covid and antivirals helped him to recover - Picture: Mark Wilson

Mr Townsend, who is known for his big cat research, was diagnosed with Covid last month for the first time.

The former Surf Coast councillor, who has received four Covid vaccine doses, is immunocompromised, and has conditions including respiratory issues.

He felt “absolutely lousy” and was prescribed antiviral Paxlovid by a GP.

He said he began to feel better after he started taking Paxlovid, and breathlessness subsided.

“Without the antivirals I would have wound up in hospital taking up a valuable hospital bed,” he said.

“The antivirals are a lifesaver.”

Mr Townsend said the health department monitored him carefully via the phone.

Prof Athan said the best way to quickly get access to antivirals was by arranging a telehealth appointment with your GP.

“Prior to becoming unwell, the Barwon South West public health unit also recommends discussing your Covid treatment plan with your GP, should you be diagnosed,” he said.

“If you are unable to contact your GP, you can contact a respiratory clinic for a telehealth appointment on [phone].”

On Thursday, Victoria reported 5550 new cases and 36 deaths.

Originally published as Geelong’s record flu season derailed as case numbers ease