COVID-19 information for Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACF) and Disability Residential Services (DRS)

COVID-19 vaccination for residents and staff

Vaccination remains the most effective protection against severe illness, hospitalisation, and death from COVID-19 and is strongly recommended for staff and residents in RACF and Disability Residential Services. RACF and Disability Residential Services’ workplace health and safety policies should include staff COVID-19 vaccination requirements.

Vaccination resources:

Antivirals for COVID-19

Early access to antivirals can help to reduce the severity of COVID-19 disease. Regular general practitioners (GP) or locums within a residential service are encouraged to discuss the prescription and use of oral antiviral treatment with all residents (or substitute decision makers) as part of their care plan. This would allow timely access to treatment in the event of an infection or outbreak. A residential facility should notify a resident’s usual GP of a positive COVID-19 result as early as possible and within 24 hours.

Infection Prevention and Control

Residential aged care facilities are required to develop and implement policies for prevention and management of COVID-19 line with national recommendations. See the Department of Health and Aged Care website.

Disability residential facilities should develop and implement policies for prevention and management of COVID-19. See Control and public health management of outbreaks of acute respiratory infection (including COVID-19 and influenza) in disability residential services

COVID-19 outbreak notification

Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACF) and Disability Residential Services (DRS) can request public health and infection control advice during a COVID-19 outbreak by contacting the Communicable Disease Control Branch (CDCB) on 1300 232 272. Facilities should continue with any required Commonwealth reporting and maintain internal records of outbreaks.

Resources