The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner Janet Anderson and the nation's Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Professor Paul Kelly, have written to the Chairs of aged care provider boards warning there has been a rise in the number of COVID-19 and flu cases in residential aged care, and urging them to keep vaccinations up to date.

The number of aged care residents with COVID-19 is the highest it has been since June 2023, with 2,532 resident cases as of 23 May 2024.

There were also more than 1,000 staff cases reported during the week, the highest number since January.

"We are writing to draw your attention to the rise in COVID-19 and influenza cases in aged care," the letter, jointly signed by the Commissioner and CMO, states. 

"As we enter the 2024 winter period, it is imperative that your aged care services remain alert and take action to protect older people (and your staff).

"Vaccination remains the best line of defence in reducing the risk of serious illness and death of aged care residents for both COVID-19 and influenza.

"However vaccination rates in residential aged care remain disappointingly low."

As of 8 May 2024, the latest data available from the Department of Health and Aged Care, only 43% of aged care residents have received a COVID-19 booster in the last six months.

For people aged 75 and older, the cohort of most aged care residents, COVID-19 vaccinations are recommended every six months.

416 aged care homes reported cases during the week, and 37 resident deaths from COVID-19 were recorded taking the total past 6,550.

It has been reported that the highly transmittable FLiRT COVID-19 variant has been detected in Australia and could be contributing to the surge in cases.