At least 112 of Victoria’s 576 total coronavirus-related deaths concern people of Greek origin, according to information exclusive to Neos Kosmos.
On Wednesday, another 16 Greek Melburnians succumbed to COVID-19 bringing the total tally of deaths belonging to people of Greek origin to 112 people.
The fatalities are mainly elderly people, with at least 40 of the victims from St Basil’s Homes for the Aged in Fawkner run by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, followed by more deaths in Grace of Mary Greek Cypriot Nursing home at Epping and Epping Gardens.
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The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) did not enforce national infection prevention standards in some homes until it was too late, new data reveals. When the federal regulator issued 13 aged care facilities in Victoria with “notices to agree”, 10 already had outbreaks of the virus at the time with 75 deaths and 403 cases positive to COVID-19.
There were 51 active cases at St Basil’s Home for the Aged in Melbourne when the notice arrived to the facility on 21 July, whereas Estia in Ardeer had 68 cases when it received its notice on 26 July and Epping Gardens had 82 cases when the notice was sent on 28 July.
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There have been hundreds of aged care deaths in Victoria linked with the COVID-19 crisis, but just five – all linked to St Basil’s – have been referred to the coroner.