Omicron in aged care facilities is killing more than 60 aged care residents a week, with 596 facilities nationally recording at least one death due to Covid this year.

A list of facility death tolls released today (see below) reveals 38 aged care facilities in five states have recorded five deaths or more this year, with eight recording deaths in the double figures.

The list drawn from Federal Government statistics has been released by United Workers Union as aged care workers across two states walk off the job tomorrow (EDS: FRIDAY) in their fight for better pay, more staff and better conditions.

“The Omicron crisis continues to play havoc with active outbreaks in more than 750 aged care facilities, distressing locked-up aged care residents, devastating families and causing unbearable workloads for aged care workers,” Carolyn Smith, Aged Care Director, United Workers Union, said today.

“There is a public perception the Omicron wave has passed but for aged care workers working double shifts in full PPE there has been no let up and the aged care crisis is in full swing.

“Given the failures of the Federal Government aged care workers are again walking off the job after last week’s unprecedented strike action across the country – they are telling their employers it’s time for them to take responsibility.

“How can we lose more than 350 senior Australians to Covid since the election campaign was launched and no-one is talking about this?

“We are very clear on accountability – Scott Morrison and his incompetent Aged Care Services Minister Richard Colbeck have failed in their responsibilities in aged care repeatedly, and those failures continue.

“Aged care workers are continuing to turn up to care for residents while these political leaders are only turning up for campaign photo opps.”

Aged care workers in South Australia and Queensland are walking off the job tomorrow as they continue industrial action against their employers in support of claims for improved wages and more care time (EDS: Friday).

Norma, SA aged care worker:  “We have an influx of pillow cases because we haven’t got any flannels, we haven’t got any wet wipes. Pillow cases! We’re washing and wiping grandmothers and mothers and great grandmothers with pillow cases and that’s disgusting for them.”

Fadiela, WA aged care worker: “I go home with a heavy heart every day because I can’t stand to see these people left incontinent for hours before we can get to them; people having a shower every second or third day because we don’t have the hours to provide the care they deserve.”

Figures drawn from Federal Government COVID-19 outbreaks in Australian residential aged care facilities data series.