COVID Is Rising Again in Aged Care, What We’ve Learned, and What Must Change

On July 22, ABC News reported that COVID-19 outbreaks in aged care facilities are once again on the rise, with hundreds of facilities across Australia affected. Despite years of hard-won lessons, innovation, and funding, the sector’s most vulnerable residents still face disproportionate risk, and this time, it’s happening quietly.

Experts warn that reduced reporting, workforce shortages, and growing complacency have created the perfect conditions for another wave of avoidable illness. At INS LifeGuard, we believe this moment demands reflection and urgent action. The virus has changed. But our responsibility to protect hasn’t.

From Crisis to Complacency: Risk Quietly Returns

In the early phases of the pandemic, aged care was a focal point for national policy, infection control, and media scrutiny and good reason. COVID-19 had a devastating impact on older Australians, particularly those in congregate care settings.

But in 2025, the urgency has faded:

• Mandatory COVID-19 outbreak reporting has eased in many states
  
  
• Public data has become less transparent, making real-time response harder
  
  
• Infection control measures have relaxed, despite new variants
  
  
• Chronic staff shortages persist, leaving facilities stretched thin
  
  

The result? A slow erosion of vigilance. Many aged care leaders are aware of the risks, but without systems that enable early detection and continuous monitoring, there’s a limit to how proactive they can be.

The New COVID Strains: What’s Behind the Latest Wave

The current surge is being driven by a cluster of Omicron subvariants, including JN.1.13 and KP.3, both of which are circulating widely in Australia as of mid-2025.



These variants are:

• Highly transmissible, even among vaccinated or previously infected individuals
  
• Subtle in symptoms — with many cases lacking fever or strong respiratory signs
  
• Capable of causing severe illness in older adults, particularly those with comorbidities

What makes them dangerous in aged care settings is how easily they spread before symptoms are noticeable. Residents may appear well, even as their vital signs begin to shift, leading to late detection and delayed response.

Subtle Symptoms to Watch For in Older Residents

COVID-19 subvariants like JN.1.13 and KP.3 can present with minimal or unusual symptoms in older adults, especially those with dementia or complex health needs. Unlike earlier strains, these variants may spread silently without causing noticeable symptoms.

Here are some of the early red flags that may indicate illness in aged care settings:

These signs may appear before a fever or cough, making early detection difficult without close observation or monitoring technology.

We’ve created a free, printable checklist to support care teams with daily resident monitoring during outbreak periods. It includes the most relevant symptoms, escalation guidance, and COVID testing recommendations, all tailored to the 2025 strain profile.

Older people don’t always present COVID (or any illness) the same way younger populations do. A rise in respiratory rate, a dip in oxygen levels, or minor confusion may be the first clue, and these signs often go unnoticed without digital support.

Manual checks alone are not enough. Care staff do incredible work, but they can’t be everywhere at once.

INS LifeGuardian® fills the gap for care staff by offering:

• Real-time health tracking via Apple Watch or supported Android wearables
• Automatic alerts for concerning changes in vital signs (heart rate, oxygen saturation, temperature)
• Gait and movement monitoring, detecting changes in walking speed, stride, or stability, are early indicators of illness or frailty
• 24/7 nurse support, triggered by abnormal readings or manual help requests
• Geofence alerts and fall detection for added safety in dementia care

These tools empower staff to act early, intervene faster, and help prevent unnecessary escalation or hospitalisation.