The death rate of aged care residents, the number of cases of infection, and the number of surge workers and ADF personnel in homes are all falling as the COVID-19 wave continues to drop.

Department of Health and Aged Care figures state that there are 3,917 active COVID cases in 592 residential aged care facilities. There has been an increase of 148 outbreaks, 92 new resident deaths, and 3,668 combined new resident and staff cases since 12 August.

This compared favourably to data provided for the seven days from August 5 when there were 5,517 active COVID cases in 788 residential aged care homes, which saw an increase of 142 total outbreaks, 143 new resident deaths, and 4,289 combined new resident and staff cases.

The Department of Health and Aged Care again states COVID has been recorded as the cause of death in 7.3% of all deaths of permanent residents in aged care facilities since the beginning the year, higher than in the past two years.

The fall in cases means the need for surge workers is dropping, with 2,563 shifts filled in the past seven days, compared to 2,689 in the week before.

The number of Australian Defence Force personnel called in by aged care providers has also fallen from 47 personnel aiding homes to 31 as at 19 August.