Thousands of elderly or vulnerable Australians could lose their lives to coronavirus, with older communities likely to be the hardest hit.
While Australia’s coronavirus death rate remains relatively low compared to harder-hit countries around the world, the number of fatalities among the elderly is high.
The country has suffered 14 deaths from COVID-19 so far, all of whom were elderly, including the latest victim, a 91-year-old woman from a Sydney aged care home who died on Saturday.
Death rates have indicated people over the age of 80 and those with underlying health conditions tend to be the most vulnerable.
‘Older people don’t have as strong an immune system so they are more vulnerable to infectious disease,’ Dr Kate Tulenko of Corvus Health explained.
‘They’re also more likely to have conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes or kidney disease, which weaken their body’s ability to fight infectious disease.’
Australia has a population of 25.6 million, of which just 4 per cent is in the 80 or older demographic.
Daily Mail Australia has taken a look at the top ten areas that could be most at risk based on its population of elderly residents.
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QUEENSCLIFFE, VICTORIA
Located on the Bellarine Peninsula, south of of Swan Bay, this small coastal town has a population of just 2,900.
Residents who are 80 or older make up 11.8 per cent of the population, meaning a coronavirus outbreak could put hundreds of elderly people at risk.
‘People over the age of 80 years and those with chronic diseases are the most vulnerable,’ La Trobe University infectious disease specialist Hassan Vally told news.com.au.
‘For those over 80, approximately 15 per cent of those infected will die.’
An incredible 50.3 per cent of the borough is aged over 60.
Located on the Bellarine Peninsula, south of of Swan Bay, the small coastal town of Queenscliff (pictured) has a population of just 2,900
WYALKATCHEM, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
A small town with a population of just 523 people, 10.8 per cent of its residents are aged 80 and over.
A remote neighbourhood, it sits 192km north-east of Perth and 35km east of Dowerin.
Western Australia has 278 cases of coronavirus so far, and has suffered two deaths.
The state’s first victim was 78-year-old James Kwan, who caught the virus on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which was forced to quarantine in Japan in February.
He died on March 1 in a hospital in Perth.
Wyalkatchem in Western Australia (pictured) is small town with a population of just 523 people, 10.8 per cent of its residents are aged 80 and over
VICTOR HARBOR, SOUTH AUSTRALIA
A coastal town in South Australia, 10.5 per cent of Victor Harbor’s residents are aged 80 or over.
It sits 82km south of Adelaide along the Fleurieu Peninsula and is a popular destination for schoolies – but normally boasts a far older population.
The population of the town is around 4,000, but the population often triples during the summer holidays.
South Australia has 287 cases of COVID-19 so far, but no one has died.
But the town has been deemed one of the most vulnerable communities, ranking highly in all four risk demographics, according to the Australian.
This includes an ageing population, relatively high population density, 9.2 per cent of people working in hospitality – with potentially high infection rates – and many grandparents.
Victor Harbor (pictured, from Granite Island) is on the south coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula
BARGUNA WEST, SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Barunga West is a local government area in the Yorke and Mid North region on the coast of South Australia, north of Adelaide.
According to the latest data, 9.1 per cent of its residents are aged 80 and over.
On March 26, its council offices closed amid fears about the spread of COVID-19.
Its community halls and library have also closed.
It has a small population of just 2,544, according to the World Health Organisation, and 37.8 per cent of people are aged over 60.
The median age of the population of Barunga West is 55, compared to the State average of 40 and national average of 38.
Barunga West is located on the northern tip of the Yorke Peninsula, with its southern-most boundary some 120km north of the capital city, Adelaide
HINDMARSH, VICTORIA
Hindmarsh Shire is in the Wimmera-Mallee region, about 350km northwest of Melbourne.
People aged 80 or over make up 8.9 per cent of its population.
Victoria has 685 coronavirus cases as of Saturday night, with three deaths – all in the last week.
Three men, all aged in their 70s, died on 26 March after being diagnosed with Covid-19.
Two of the men had been being treated for cancer in an oncology ward at The Alfred hospital in Melbourne.
Hindmarsh in Victoria (pictured) is a popular seaside town for older residents and holidaymakers alike
BULOKE, VICTORIA
With a population of around 6,100, 8.6 per cent of its residence are aged 80 or over.
Fearing an outbreak, local officials have already stood down volunteers delivering Meals on Wheels and replace them with council staff, saying it hopes the move will help it ‘further care for the wellbeing of our vulnerable populations.’
In the middle of Victoria’s agricultural farming heartland, it sits around 270km from Melbourne’s CBD.
It is in the heart of the state’s wheat belt, with agriculture – especially grain and sheep production – being the main industry.
Buloke in north-western Victoria (pictured) is part of the state’s agricultural heartland, as has a large older population
HINCHINBROOK, QUEENSLAND
Stunning Hinchinbrook Shire in tropical north Queensland has a population made of 8.5 per cent of people aged 80 and over.
It sits just north of Townsville and has a population of 10,805.
There have been 625 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Queensland so far, with one person losing their life.
Garry Kirstenfeldt was so far the youngest person in Australia to die from coronavirus, after catching the disease on the Voyager of the Seas cruise ship.
He died on March 25 in hospital in Toowoomba, after leaving the cruise in Sydney.
Little Ramsay Bay (pictured) is just one of the delights of Hinchinbrook Island National Park
ORROROO/CARRIETON, SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Orroroo Carrieton is a local government area in the Yorke and Mid North region of South Australia, roughly a three hours drive north of Adelaide.
It has a population of just 854, 8.4 per cent of whom are aged 80 and over.
Rural land is used largely for agriculture, particularly cereal and grain growing and sheep and cattle grazing.
Tourism is an important industry, with the area situated at the base of the Flinders Ranges.
Oat crops are seen growing nesar Orroroo (pictured) which is in the Southern Flinders Ranges of South Australia
YARRIAMBIACK, VICTORIA
The Shire of Yarriambiack is situated in north-western Victoria, in the heart of the state’s wheat belt.
A close-knit community, 8.1 per cent of its population are aged 80 and over.
The population is concentrated in a number of small towns which service the surrounding broad-hectare farming properties.
YORKE PENINSULA, SOUTH AUSTRALIA
A popular area for family holidays, Yorke Peninsula is also home to a large number of older people – with the 80s and over making up 8 per cent of its population – double the national rate.
Yorke Peninsula (pictured) in South Australia is a popular tourist destination all year round