With around 30 aged care residents a week still dying from COVID-19, aged care peak body Aged and Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA) is “disappointed” COVID-19 isolation is to be scrapped from 14 October.
While restrictions remain for entering aged care homes, the chances of the virus entering a facility will increase when the isolation periods for contracting COVID end.
“For many in our community, COVID is fast becoming an unpleasant memory as case numbers fall and restrictions are removed. But for Australia’s aged care providers, COVID continues to be an ever-present threat and they continue to do everything they can to keep their residents, clients and staff safe,” said Tom Symondson, ACCPA’S new CEO (pictured).
“That is why it’s disappointing that National Cabinet has decided to lift the isolation period for COVID-19 infections for the general population from 14 October, although we are pleased to see restrictions remain for aged and health care settings. We continue to encourage all residents, staff, and visitors to keep their vaccinations up to date and to observe the infection protocols which are aimed at protecting our most vulnerable.
“Providers are urged to follow the advice of health experts both federally and in their jurisdiction in relation to managing positive COVID cases, including required isolation periods which apply to those who work in or visit aged care facilities. This includes continued use of PPE, RATs, in-reach PCR testing, and in-reach vaccination clinics for residential aged care.”
The number of aged care homes with the virus, which has killed more than 4,000 aged care residents in total, has fallen slightly. There were 919 cases in 185 residential aged care facilities across Australia.
That means 273 fewer residents have the virus from seven days earlier.
For the period of 1 January to 24 September, COVID-19 is recorded as the cause of 6.8% of all deaths of residents in aged care homes.
