The increase in COVID-19 cases in residential aged care paused during the week to 18 January 2024, after surging almost 50% in the fortnight after Christmas as friends and family gathered for the festive season. 

There were only 16 new cases among aged care residents, compared with an increase of 514 the fortnight prior. 

However, deaths climbed to 38, the second highest weekly number of deaths since July 2023, reflecting the post-Christmas COVID wave. 

419 facilities experienced an outbreak in the week to 18 January, down 16 facilties from 459 the previous week. 

Just over 3,000 aged care residents received a vaccine dose in the week to 18 January 2024. More than two-thirds of residents (68.6%) have received a booster dose since 1 January 2023 now, however, only 30.2% of residents have received a booster in the last six months.