The latest COVID-19 wave continues to take its toll on residential aged care, with more than 2,500 resident cases recorded for the week to 23 May 2024 and more than 1,000 staff cases. It was the highest number of recorded cases in residential aged care in a year.

Sadly, another nine residents died of the virus in the week to 30 May, making a total of 6,580 deaths since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

With so many staff unwell and unable to work, providers are having to cover the added costs of agency staff in order to meet mandated staffing requirements.

A spokesperson for one Victorian aged care provider, with more than a dozen homes, which has been impacted by COVID-19 outbreaks this week, told The SOURCE it wanted a change to the flat rate virus subsidy of $940 that came in on 1 January 2024.

"We believe there should be a standing government subsidy for outbreaks as the practice for monitoring and maintaining is mandated, yet the cost (PPE, agency staff) is borne by the provider," the spokesperson said. 

"In particular, the virus impacts our permanent staffing levels, which in turn impacts our ability to meet the government’s mandated care minutes, without funding costly agency staff."

A total of 416 aged care homes were impacted by outbreaks in the week to 23 May, more than 18% of all aged care homes in Australia.

Victoria had the higher number of outbreaks, with 168 homes affected, compared with 128 in New South Wales, 59 in Western Australia, and 51 in South Australia.