The number of aged care residents who have died from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic has crossed a new threshold, after another 12 residents died during the week. 

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, 7,003 residents have now died from COVID-19. 

On average, 4.3 aged care residents have died from COVID-19 every day since the virus was first detected in residential aged care in March 2020.

This calendar year alone, more than 850 residents have died. 

Despite the continued toll of the virus, today only 1.8% of residents who contract COVID-19 die, compared with 3.3% in 2022, and a shocking 33% in 2020 pre-vaccination. Case numbers are falling. 

In the week to 12 September 2024, there were outbreaks in 106 aged care homes, the lowest number in 12 months. 

However, 500 residents and 200 aged care staff still tested positive to the virus during the week. 

The vaccination rate for residential aged care hovers at 53.7%, a fraction lower than last week. More than 13,000 residents were vaccinated in the 28 days to 12 September, the lowest level since July.