Eleven of the fifteen deaths recorded in the past two days in Victoria due to COVID-19 took place in nursing homes.
The outbreaks in aged care settings continue to grow and the government of Victoria has decided to make hospital beds available for the elderly who are being transferred from nursing homes.
As a result, Victoria Health has announced that all non-essential surgical operations have been suspended.
Highlights
- The aged care sector is the most affected by the new wave of coronavirus in Victoria
- The Fair Work Commission has announced that casual workers who show coronavirus symptoms will be guaranteed a period of paid leave from work.
- The federal government has established the AUSMAT taskforce to help manage the emergency in nursing homes.
The federal government has also intervened. Prime Minister Scott Morrison returned to Canberra interrupting a planned trip to Queensland in order to deal with the situation.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt is sending an Australian Medical Assistance team to the state to help manage the outbreaks. Hunt described the team as a medical version of the Australian military special forces.
Another measure taken to stop the further spread of the virus has been to establish a period of paid leave from work for casual employees who present any kind of symptom.
The announcement was made yesterday by the Fair Work Commission and was welcomed by the Australian Council of Trade Unions, which also called on the federal government to ensure that all workers have access to paid leave.
Residents in metropolitan Melbourne are subject to stay-at-home orders and can only leave home for essential work, study, exercise or care responsibilities. It is also mandatory to wear masks in public.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
