The number of aged care facilities in Victoria with COVID-19 has doubled in the last five days, with 41 homes reported to have at least one active case.

At least 216 aged care contacts have tested positive to the virus in Victoria, with infected staff accounting for over half (112) of the active cases.

The rise in cases has been dramatic – in the five days leading up to July 19 the number of residents with active COVID-19 went from 35 to 93.

Menarock has been overtaken with the two largest active clusters are reportedly Estia’s aged care home at Ardeer, and Embracia Aged Care’s Moonee Valley home at Avondale Heights, both with 38 positive cases.

Facilities in regional Victoria have also been hit, with Bill Crawford Lodge in Ballarat and Mercy Place Bethlehem Home in Golden Square, Bendigo, both reporting one positive case.

Even as new restrictions are introduced (see this story), authorities are preparing for the worst.

“This is a genuine concern. These cases have all occurred in the last two weeks, which is very alarming,” Federal Aged Care Minister, Senator Richard Colbeck told The Australian.

“They are the most vulnerable.”

“If you look at this nationally the mortality rate is about 37 per cent, so 35 to 40 out of 100 (in residential aged care) who have the virus won’t survive,” he said.

“It’s much higher in these settings because the people are there for a reason, with comorbidities that make them more vulnerable to the virus.”