Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Aged Care

The government’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Brendan Murphy has today released information about the way aged care providers are playing a central role in the national response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Aged care providers around the country are encouraged to maintain their vigilance to assist in preventing further transmission of the disease.

To protect all Australians from the COVID-19, including vulnerable groups such as the elderly, the Australian Government has announced a comprehensive $2.4 billion health package. This package includes:

• $100 million to fund a new Medicare telehealth service
• $25 million for vulnerable people in the community, including those in self-isolation, to order and receive their PBS/RPBS medicines
• $50.7 million to expand the 24/7 national hotline (1800 020 080) to help triage people with respiratory symptoms and those who are concerned about contact with a possible COVID-19 case. Aged care providers should encourage and support care recipients to access this hotline as appropriate
• $206.7 million for up to 100 private practice respiratory clinics to provide dedicated services to people with mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms
• $170 million to establish a bulk-billed pathology (microbiology) test for COVID-19. This includes specialist “in reach” pathology testing in aged care facilities
• $30 million for COVID–19 research to enable Australian researchers to contribute to global efforts to control the outbreak
• $1.1 billion to increase Australia’s supply of personal private protective equipment and pharmaceuticals held in the National Medical Stockpile
• $30 million for a new national communications campaign. Importantly, the package also includes $101.2 million to educate and train aged care workers in infection control, and enable aged care providers to hire extra nurses and aged care workers for both residential and home care

New cases of COVID-19 are being seen every day, however 80% of cases present as a mild form of the disease. Older people have a much greater risk of serious illness.

Reducing Exposure to Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Aged Care Settings

Isolating people with COVID-19 is key to containing the rate of transmission.

If you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19, you should contact your GP or local health service before visiting an aged care home.

In the current situation, it is important for aged care providers to:

• Maintain their facility’s Infection Control protocols
• Be ready to activate their facility’s COVID-19 Emergency Response Plan, including testing and updating assumptions in those plans
• Finalise arrangements for seasonal flu vaccinations for residents, staff and volunteers
• Communicate regularly with care recipients and their families, as well as staff

As always, it is important to always maintain a high level of hygiene around elderly and frail people in situatiuons like this. Wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth when coughing and sneezing and avoid physical contact. 

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