COVID-19 outbreaks sweep across more than 100 aged care facilities | lucy_carroll
The surge in infections, with 385 cases across residents and workers, has prompted consumer aged care bodies to renew calls for state and federal governments to mandate visitor policies that would allow residents to have at least one caregiver visit, regardless of an outbreak in a home.
“It is essential residents be permitted at least one visitor, but there is confusion about what is and isn’t allowed in the guidance from state and federal governments.” “For around one-third of residents in aged care homes, this will be their last Christmas. Yet residents who are in lockdown will not be able to celebrate Christmas with families and loved ones, even when both residents and families are fully vaccinated, including having their booster,” Ms Russell said.
In some cases, significant delays in PCR test results are leading providers to place temporary bans on visitors while facilities wait days for results. St Basil’s Lakemba and Uniting Lillian Wells North Parramatta aged care facilities have more than 20 cases in residents in each home.