COVID-19 cases and deaths are rising again as Australia heads into winter.
In the week to 25 April 2024, there were outbreaks of the virus in 222 aged care homes, 8% of all homes in Australia, and 11 more homes than the previous week
During the week, 1,205 residents contracted the virus, 57 more than the previous week.
34 residents died from COVID-19 during in the week to 25 April, taking total resident deaths from the virus over the course of the pandemic to 6,443. The number of deaths during the week was more than triple the number of the previous week, and the highest number since mid-January.
The Department on Health and Aged Care is again providing data on vaccination rates among aged care residents. As of 10 April 2024, the latest data available, 72.7% of residents have received a booster since 1 January 2023. In the last six months, 42.2% of residents have received a booster - even though the Government's recommendation is for those over the age of 75 to receive a COVID-19 vaccine dose every six months.
