Aged care homes warned over uptick in flu cases

Australia is facing a sharp rise in influenza cases across several states, including New South Wales and Queensland, putting health authorities on alert.

While the number of active Covid cases in Australian aged care facilities decreased by 35 per cent compared to last week rising flu cases pose a significant risk to older people.

Influenza is associated with higher hospitalisations and deaths among people aged care 65 and can cause severe illness.

Vaccination efforts and protective measures become paramount in safeguarding the health of vulnerable people in aged care settings.

As of June, 7,755,068 Australians have received an influenza vaccination this year, of which 2,953,397 are 65 and over.

This year's flu season is shaping up to be one of the most significant on record, resembling alarming numbers in 2019.

With months left in the flu season, recorded cases have already reached 107,941.

Last March, Griffith University infectious diseases Professor Paul van Buynder warned older people and aged care providers to implement strong protective measures.

"If we combine Covid with this year's flu variant, we're going to see a dramatic mark on all Australians, particularly older people," Van Buynder said.

"We're still seeing a major impact of Covid on old persons."

Across Australia, there are currently 1,880 active Covid cases in 292 outbreaks in residential aged care facilities, representing a 35 per cent decrease from the previous week's total of 2,550 cases.

While Covid cases across all states decreased by 20 per cent since last week, there's been a significant increase in influenza cases across NSW and Queensland.

In NSW, there has been a 0.5 per cent increase in newly diagnosed flu cases compared to the previous week, totalling over 4,500 cases.

In Queensland, flu cases doubled and surpassed the number of Covid infections, with over 4,400 flu cases and 2,700 Covid cases.

Despite the decline in Covid infections, Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman warned the public to remain vigilant as the viruses continue to pose significant health risks.

"It's not the time for complacency," Ms Fentiman said in a statement.

"Covid is still out there, as well as influenza and RSV, so we need to take care."

On Friday, the NSW health department announced it would monitor Covid' much like any other respiratory illness,' based on a rolling 7-day average rather than a total number per week.

"Covid is now part of our reality," Ms Fentiman said.

Health facilities like Bundaberg Hospital have reintroduced mask mandates due to the increase in occupied beds for Covid and flu patients, according to ABC News.

Australian Medical Association (AMA) president Steve Robson called for the public to get up-to-date with their Covid and flu boosters.

While over 96 per cent of Australians have received double vaccination against Covid as of June 23, less than half have received their first Covid booster, and only one in five has their second booster.

"We're seeing a significant spike in flu and Covid cases, making this a potentially dangerous winter, particularly for older and more vulnerable people," Mr Robson said.

Earlier this month, NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant said people with Covid or flu symptoms should stay home to minimise healthcare pressure.

In NSW, Covid cases fell by nearly 24 per cent since last week, from close to 7,000 to 5,570, despite reporting the highest number of deaths across Australia.

The Northern Territory reported the lowest Covid case rate nationwide.

In Queensland, daily Covid cases averaged 453, declining from nearly 600 cases the previous week.

The state has not recorded any deaths based on the seven-day rolling average since June 16.

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