Coronavirus Australia: Coroner to probe St Basil’s aged care home virus deaths

Victoria’s coroner is investigating deaths linked to one of the worst aged-care outbreaks in the state.

A resident of St Basil's is removed from the home.

Victoria’s Coroner has launched an investigation into the deaths of five residents at St Basil’s Homes for the Aged, the Melbourne nursing home that saw one of the state’s deadliest coronavirus outbreaks.

And the operator’s plan to have residents begin returning to the facility after its full evacuation last Friday has been rejected by the aged care regulator, which said it had received 18 complaints about St Basil’s standard of service in the last two weeks.

Coroner John Cain has asked Victorian police to prepare a brief of evidence for his inquiry, which will focus on the causes and circumstances of the five deaths.

“His Honour is also empowered under the Act to make recommendations to prevent similar deaths in the future,” a spokeswoman for the Coroner said.

Victoria Police confirmed they were assisting the Coroner with inquiries into the deaths of aged care residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ivan Rukavina, whose mother Marija Rukavina passed away after contracting the coronavirus at St Basil’s, said class action firm Maurice Blackburn had been engaged to represent some of the families at the inquiry.

“It’s given me some form of relief knowing something is getting done, an investigation into so many deaths,” he said. “It’s not just going to be a business transaction that’s gone wrong.”

A Maurice Blackburn spokeswoman said the firm had been approached by a number of family members in relation to the St Basil’s inquiry.

Mr Rukavina said he understood there had been 23 deaths of St Basil’s since July, and the families wanted all deaths to be investigated.

The Victorian government has not confirmed total deaths, but said 160 people connected with the nursing home had contracted the virus, making it the second worst aged care outbreak in the state.

John Atzarakis, whose 77-year-old mother Fotini died after contracting the coronavirus at St Basil’s, said he hoped the inquiry delivered accountability.

“Both state and federal [governments] are trying to make themselves look good,” he said.
“I’m sure the Premier’s got a lot on, I take my hat off to him, but he also employs people that can be accountable to act.“

Love heart shaped balloons were released at Fotini’s funeral service on Wednesday but coronavirus restrictions meant not all of her eight grandchildren could attend.

“She was so proud … She’s the type of woman that has taught us never say never. She fought everything … But the disease [COVID-19] was beyond her control and it took her away,” Mr Atzarakis said.

St Basil's resident Fotini Atzarakis died of the coronavirus. Picture: Supplied

St Basil’s on Thursday issued a statement saying it was beginning the process to have residents return to the premises.

Board chairman Konstantin Kontis said the home had been deep cleaned and declared safe for occupation, staff had started to return, and planning was underway to bring in residents five at a time and ensure they are split into COVID-positive and COVID-negative sectors of the home, depending on whether they had been infected.

But Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner Janet Anderson said in a statement on Thursday St Basil’s had not yet satisfied all the requirements for readmitting residents, with 18 complaints about the facility received in the past two weeks.

Marija Rukavina, 86, passed away after contracting coronavirus at St Basil's.

“Issues still to be addressed by St Basil’s include ensuring that the site is safe and fit for the provision of care, and confirming the availability of a sufficient number of staff who have been cleared to return to work after their period of self-isolation,” Ms Anderson said.

“The provider must also ensure that returning staff are appropriately trained in infection control practices.”

More than 100 Victorian nursing home residents have so far died during the COVID-19 second wave.