Victorian aged care homes may face return of stringent restrictions as staff/residents test positive/public now urged to wear masks

There were 288 new cases of coronavirus in Victoria between Thursday and Friday with 262 under investigation. More than 37,000 tests were carried out.

Aged care cases now include:

A staff member who was infectious while at the Doutta Galla, Lynch's Bridge site in Kensington on July 2 and 3; a resident who tested positive at the Glendale Aged Care facility in Werribee; a staff member who worked at the Uniting AgeWell facility in Preston; a staff member at BaptCare Karana in Kew who tested positive but did not work while infectious; a positive case who provides aged care services to clients in their homes through Mercy Health, cases in two staff members who worked at Menarock Life Aged Care in Essendon; a staff member who attended BaptCare The Orchards Community in Doncaster while infectious; a staff member who worked at Benetas St George's in Altona Meadows while infectious; a staff member who worked at BlueCross Ivanhoe while infectious; a staff member who worked at Aurrum Aged Care facility in Healesville - the staff member was not infectious at the time; A staff member who worked at Holmwood Aged Care facility in Healesville - the staff member was not infectious at the time.

All the affected facilities are in lockdown and undergoing cleaning, contact tracing and testing.

"Sadly, and despite everyone's best efforts, the situation in Victoria creates a greater risk for our residents, home care clients and staff, Patricia Sparrow, chief executive of peak body Aged and Community Services Australia which represents not-for-profit services.

"We are warning that increased protection measures around visitation are likely to be necessary in the coming weeks.

"Everyone knew that as general restrictions in the community were lifted this would increase the risk of clusters and outbreaks and that's exactly what has happened.

"We can't get blasé about aged care because older people are one of the most vulnerable groups for COVID19. Aged care providers are calling on all Australians to stay vigilant to protect older people," said Ms Sparrow.

Anyone with concerns can talk directly to the aged care service or contact OPAN on 1800-237-981, 6am-10pm (AEDT), 7 days a week.

Victoorian Premier Daniel Anderson said there were no plans at present to change visitor restrictions at nursing homes but that could change.

Melburnians, particularly those in the Melbourne and Mitchell Shire lockdown zone have been advised to wear face masks, including home made masks, outside their homes where social distancing is not possible.

Mr Andrews said the Victorian Government was sourcing two millions reusable masks and one million single use masks.