The VACRC will cease operations as of 30 September 2022.
Please note: Some information referring to current definitions of outbreaks and exposures may be out of date after the 30 September cessation date.
Purpose
The Australian Government and the Victorian Government established the VACRC on 27 July 2020 in response to the threat of COVID-19 in residential aged care facilities (RACFs).
In November 2021, the VACRC Strategic Governance Committee agreed to continue the VACRC until 30 September 2022.
Continued levels of community transmission meant that COVID-19 was still a risk for RACF residents and staff.
What the VACRC does
The VACRC provides critical COVID-19 outbreak coordination, support to RACFs, PHUs, Victorian and Commonwealth departments. In 2022, the VACRC is focusing on 2 core roles. It provides Victorian RACFs with COVID-19:
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critical outbreak and exposure support
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prevention preparedness including the Prevention – Outbreak Plan Improvement (POPI) Program.
Support
Please email the Case Management team victascasemanagement@health.gov.au for support during outbreaks/exposures.
If your RACF has a positive case of COVID-19, you must also advise your local Public Health Unit and the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care as soon as possible. For details, see reporting COVID-19 cases in residential aged care.
Resources
Find more resources for COVID-19 and Residential Aged Care
The Victorian Government Department of Health also has COVID-19 resources and information for the aged care sector.