Sydney
MP prompts scrutiny of Australia’s COVID-19 deaths in aged care after sharp increase recorded this year
The federal government should come under greater scrutiny for the rising number of COVID-19 deaths in aged care, independent lawmakers say.
More than 3,000 Australians have died from COVID-19 in nursing homes this year. That’s almost triple his death toll in the first two years of the pandemic.
The figure also accounts for 75% of COVID-19 deaths in the aged care sector since the pandemic began in late 2020, according to Federal Health Service data.
Elderly care deaths have also increased 36% since Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was elected in May, the Sydney Morning Herald reported on Sunday.
Independent lawmaker Rebekha Sharkie said the federal government should face more questions about the surge.
“Looking back at the last Congress, the Minister of Elderly Care had questions every day,” Sharkey told ABC on Sunday.
“It hasn’t been sitting for weeks this year, but it hasn’t been scrutinized.
“I think it is imperative that all members of parliament, including myself, hold the government accountable on this matter.”
There are currently 278 aged care centers managing COVID-19 outbreaks across the country, according to the latest Federal Health Service data.
About 1,243 residents have been infected with COVID-19, and 381 elderly care workers have contracted the virus.
Sharkey said the government needs to inform the public how centers are being supported through repeated COVID-19 outbreaks and what is being done with respect to ventilation and staffing.
“COVID is not over. The pandemic is still on,” she said.
“The 3,000 deaths in senior homes this year are very, very alarming.
“If it had been last year, it would have been on the front page of every newspaper every day.”
One of the Albanian government’s first actions was to develop a winter plan to manage the elderly care sector’s response to COVID-19, said Minister of Elderly Care Annika Wells.
Wells said the plan, along with continued access to antiviral treatment and vaccination, has lowered the fatality rate in aged care from 33% in 2020 to 3.5% this year.
“All deaths in Australia from COVID-19 are tragic, including the deaths of older Australians in aged care homes,” the minister told the AAP in a statement on Sunday.
“We have taken all steps to manage the COVID-19 response in aged care.
“We have extended ADF’s role in elderly care through the end of September and have a surged workforce offering 1704 shifts last week.”
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/mp-urges-scrutiny-of-australias-covid-19-deaths-in-aged-care-after-sharp-rise-recorded-this-year/b1isegy6l MP prompts scrutiny of Australia’s COVID-19 deaths in aged care after sharp increase recorded this year
