Changes to COVID-19 testing policy from 1st April 2024
From 1 April 2024, the following changes will be made to COVID-19 testing to align with other respiratory infections while continuing to protect those at higher risk of serious illness:
The guidance has been updated in line with these changes to testing from 1 April 2024.
Outbreak management for COVID-19 will align with other acute respiratory infections (ARIs). This means routine supply of free COVID-19 LFD tests for outbreak management in care homes will end. Instead, the local UKHSA Health Protection Team (HPT) will advise if PCR testing is deemed appropriate to test for a wide range of respiratory viruses and identify the cause of an outbreak. Providers should continue to follow guidance Infection prevention and control in adult social care: acute respiratory infection – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk), notify UKHSA HPT of a suspected outbreak, and initiate risk assessments where able.
Routine COVID-19 lateral flow device (LFD) testing of asymptomatic individuals prior to discharge from hospital into care homes is no longer required. Testing may still be undertaken, based on local risk assessment by the hospital together with the care home, for example during outbreaks.
Pathway for accessing COVID -19 treatments and test kits for eligible residents
Important information for residential and supported living providers
Information including eligibility, how residents can access lateral flow tests and the local pathway is available here. Further information for clinicians is available here.
For a summary of the pathway for community access to COVID-19 treatment please click here.