In Queensland, 73 aged care homes experienced a COVID-19 outbreak in the week to 22 February 2024, more than any other state.

The state also had the highest number of residents and staff case numbers, at 433 and 162 respectively.

By contrast, NSW, which has a population about 50% larger than Queensland, had only 72 homes with outbreaks, 342 resident cases, and 158 staff cases. NSW's vaccination rate is at 37.9%.

Queensland's vaccination rate among aged care residents is languishing at 36.1%, the second lowest rate in the nation, behind only Western Australia at 27.6%.

Western Australia's geographic separateness may have afforded it some protection from the virus' spread. There were only 20 facilities with outbreaks in Western Australia, 88 resident cases, and 25 staff cases in the week to 22 February 2024.