The Essential Report Archive Read the latest report

Statements about Covid-19 Outbreak in Aged Care

25 Aug 2020

Q. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the recent Covid-19 outbreaks and spread of the virus within aged care facilities?

  TOTAL: AGREE TOTAL: DISAGREE Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree Unsure
Authorities failed to prepare an adequate Covid-19 strategy to deal with outbreaks in aged care facilities 77% 14% 38% 39% 11% 3% 9%
Hygiene and care standards in private care homes are poor which has contributed to the spread of Covid-19 71% 17% 32% 39% 13% 4% 12%
Covid-19 has entered and spread through aged care facilities because of community transmission from friends and families of residents 67% 19% 24% 42% 13% 6% 14%
The impact of Covid-19 in aged care facilities has been worsened by long-term underfunding of the aged care sector 70% 18% 34% 26% 14% 4% 12%

 

  Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
TOTAL: AGREE Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor Liberal + National Greens TOTAL: Other
Authorities failed to prepare an adequate Covid-19 strategy to deal with outbreaks in aged care facilities 77% 77% 77% 69% 78% 83% 82% 79% 79% 73%
Hygiene and care standards in private care homes are poor which has contributed to the spread of Covid-19 71% 73% 69% 62% 70% 78% 74% 74% 63% 73%
Covid-19 has entered and spread through aged care facilities because of community transmission from friends and families of residents 67% 72% 62% 69% 72% 61% 68% 73% 68% 58%
The impact of Covid-19 in aged care facilities has been worsened by long-term underfunding of the aged care sector 70% 70% 70% 69% 71% 70% 77% 68% 85% 67%
Base (n) 1,068 513 555 317 370 381 313 447 96 118

 

  • There is acknowledgement in the community of a range of factors that have contributed to the spread of Covid-19 within aged care facilities. A majority of people believe that there was insufficient preparation from authorities (77% agreement) and that long-term underfunding of aged care facilities has worsened the impact.
  • Similar numbers also agree that the hygiene and care standards in private care homes has contributed to the spread of (71%) and that community transmission from friends and families of residents has also contributed to the spread (67%).
Error: