Lack of preparation blamed for aged care virus deaths Lack of preparation blamed for aged care virus deaths December 23, 2020 — 10.00pm Normal text size The Age, email [email protected]. Please include your home address and telephone number. AGED CARE Lack of preparation blamed for virus deaths The federal government failed to prepare the aged-care sector for the pandemic. In Victoria, 655 (82 per cent) of the 801 people who died during the second wave were residents in private aged care homes. The Prime Minister, Health Minister and the regulator need to explain to all of us exactly how this heart-breaking tragedy – which many of us predicted – occurred on their watch.