St Basil’s charged over deadly Covid outbreak

WorkSafe has charged St Basil’s aged care facility over its alleged failure to implement the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) after the first staffer tested positive to Covid in July 2020. It’s also alleged St Basil’s’ management failed to train staff to ensure they were able to competently use PPE and supervise its use among residents. A mass outbreak among the home’s vulnerable elderly residents took place over the next month, resulting in 45 virus-related deaths. Ninety-four residents and 94 staff at St Basil’s tested positive to Covid in July and August 2020 when Melbourne was under harsh stage 4 lockdown restrictions. WorkSafe has charged the aged care home, which is located at Fawkner in Melbourne’s north, with nine breaches of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after an investigation. St Basil’s could face fines of up to $1.49m for each of the offences WorkSafe allege took place. The case is expected to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on August 1.