The five-page fact sheet is designed to guide providers on how to identify if there is an outbreak at a facility and the steps to take to manage the outbreak.
Noting that it may not always be possible to transfer residents to hospital – a measure many providers have told us that they would take – the guide says an outbreak is determined by the ‘two in three’ rule i.e. if two people in three days become sick with the symptoms and at least one of these has a positive test for COVID-19, that is considered an outbreak.
However, it does add that this is just a guideline and the state/territory public health unit will “assist in deciding whether to declare an outbreak”.
State health departments told the ABC they do not disclose the names of nursing homes that have recorded only one coronavirus infection.
Based on the Department of Health’s updated figures that 51 residents and staff have tested positive in 17 aged care homes, that is 10 homes with single cases – but based on the above rule, it doesn’t take much for a case to turn into an outbreak so it is worthwhile reading.
You can download the sheet here.
