Up to 80 staff and residents in aged care homes across Victoria have contracted the coronavirus, sparking fears of a major health crisis.
A 24-bed ward was set up at the Royal Melbourne Hospital in preparation for an expected influx of elderly patients as the virus spread to 24 aged care facilities in the state.
The Menarock facility in Essendon, where 31 infections were recorded, and Estia Health in Adeer which recorded 13 infections were of particular concern for health officials. Officials believed the source of those two outbreaks came from a worker who unknowingly contracted the virus and attended both facilities while infectious. New state health advice requires that all aged care workers wear a face mask at all times during their shifts.
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