Sunday 11 September 2022 02:13 AM Three quarters of Australian Covid deaths in nursing homes were this year trends now
The number of Australians dying with Covid in nursing homes has more than tripled this year.
More than 3,000 aged care home residents died with Covid in 2022 compared to 917 during the first two years of the pandemic.
Deaths also climbed since the Albanese Government took office with an average of 102 people dying every week since the May election compared to 75 per week under the Coalition in the five months leading up to that.
Covid deaths in aged care have more than tripled this year compared to the first two years of the pandemic
One independent MP described the rise in mortality as 'terrifying' while the federal opposition blasted the government, accusing it of failing to keep old people safe.
Independent South Australian MP Rebekha Sharkie said the increase in aged care Covid deaths was 'terrifying'.
'I think if I had a parent or grandparent in aged care, I'd be very worried,' she told The Age.
She said weariness from dealing Covid led to a drop-off in the scrutiny and accountability of the management of the virus.
'I think there's probably an element of Covid fatigue in the media and perhaps in the parliament,' she said.
'It's almost like there's a political will for Coivd to go away, and it hasn't gone away. So we're just not going to really talk about it anymore.'
Aged and Community Care Providers Association interim chief executive Paul Sadler warned in July that Covid outbreaks were putting nursing homes under pressure.
SA Independent MP Rebekha Sharkie said the tripling of Covid deaths in aged care was 'terrifying'
Aged and Community Care Providers Association interim CEO Paul Sadler warned in July that Covid was putting aged care homes under pressure
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