St Basil’s Fawkner in Melbourne’s north is dealing with another outbreak of COVID-19 almost two years after 45 residents died from the virus at the facility, The Age reports.
The Federal Department of Health and Aged Care confirmed on Tuesday that 14 residents and one staff member had tested positive for coronavirus.
“St Basil’s Home for the Aged is currently experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak and is being provided with a range of Commonwealth supports including onsite infection prevention and control,” said a spokeswoman from the Department, according to The Age.
She said the current outbreak was declared on July 2 and comes amid concerns about the growing number of COVID-related hospital admissions in Victoria.
This comes just two days after the aged care home was charged with failing to provide a safe working environment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Victoria’s workplace regulator, WorkSafe, charged the facility with nine breaches of the Occupational Health and Safety Act following its investigation into the Fawkner facility.
The charges relate to the facility’s alleged failure to implement the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) after one staff member tested positive for COVID-19 in July 2020.
A subsequent outbreak at the aged care facility, which remains the subject of a coronial inquest, resulted in 94 staff members testing positive for the virus and 45 residents dying of COVID-related complications.
The Greek Herald has reached out to St Basil’s Victoria for comment.
Source: The Age
