210 aged care homes recorded COVID-19 outbreaks in the week to 14 March 2024, 30 fewer than the previous week, and the lowest number of homes with outbreaks since mid October 2023, according to data from the Department of Health and Aged Care.
The milestone comes as the number of resident COVID cases for the week fell 5% from the previous week to 1,134.
However, 210 aged care homes still represents nearly 8% of all homes in Australia - and there were 13 deaths recorded in residential aged care during the week, bringing the total number of deaths during the pandemic to 6,348.
The Department of Health and Aged Care has information on how many people on average die in residential aged care every year. In 2020, with COVID-19 widespread, the number fell due to increased hygiene and protection of residents. In 2021, it was around the expected number and in first half of 2022, more people died in residential aged care than normal with family and friends allowed to see their relatives inside the care home.
