The approach of winter is worrying providers, with concerns that flu season may return following the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions.
With the coronavirus itself again spreading through residential aged care facilities, influenza could pose significant challenges should it resurface this winter.
Chris Mamarelis (pictured), CEO of Not For Profit provider Whiddon, says that the potential combination of COVID and the flu is concerning.
“We’re already struggling with workforce, we’re already having to manage things like PPE and vaccines; we’re now in the process of obtaining, accessing and distributing flu vaccines to residents and employees, and there's a lot of work to do.
“If you consider that these two could come together at the same time, after what everyone has already been through, it’s quite a daunting task ahead of us,” he said.
While the Federal Government recently announced a $1.2 billion package to help aged care homes prepare for winter, Mr Mamarelis notes that – though a positive step – most of this funding is for personal protective equipment (PPE).
“80% of it’s going into providing stock and supplies for the aged care sector. So that’s great, but it doesn’t leave a lot for everything else, which is focusing on areas such as education, training, and there are some workforce measures there,” he said.
Whiddon has been trialling rapid PCR testing at its aged care homes, and Mr Mamarelis has been advocating its expansion across the country.
“Rapid PCRs not only test for COVID – they also test for influenza A and B. They’re an absolutely critical tool to have during the winter coming, and we’re still struggling to get a response from government on what their thoughts are on that,” he said.
The flu largely disappeared from Australia during the COVID pandemic, thanks to measures such as border closures, masking, social distancing, and increased hygiene.
