COVID-19: testing fromduring 1periods Aprilof 2023low prevalence
Explains testingthe frompurpose 1of Aprilongoing 2023testing onwards and sets out the purpose of ongoing testing, who willis becurrently eligible tofor access to testing and when tests should be used.
The role of testing
ThroughoutAs theset coronavirusout (COVID-19)in pandemic, the governmentLiving haswith prioritisedCOVID-19 protectingstrategy, the mostgovernment’s vulnerableobjectives andin thosethis inphase high-riskof settings.the Government-fundedcoronavirus testing(COVID-19) willresponse continueare to focusincreasingly onenable thesethe groups,management withof newCOVID-19 guidance coming into effect in Englandline fromwith 1other Aprilrespiratory 2023.
Theillnesses, ongoingwhilst successprotecting ofand thetreating vaccinationthose programme,who increasedare accessmost vulnerable to treatmentsmore andserious highoutcomes.
Testing immunityof amongstresidents, thepatients population,or hasstaff allowedwho theare governmentsymptomatic or to scalemanage backan testingoutbreak in England.high-risk Fromsettings Aprilwill onwards,continue testingthroughout will2022 beto provided2023. toAt individualstimes and(for settingsexample atduring highestperiods riskof fromhigh COVID-19,prevalence, whilstwhen continuingtransmission toof supportCOVID-19 diagnosisfrom forthe carecommunity andis accessmore tolikely) treatments.
Allasymptomatic testing willmay usealso lateralbe flowdeployed devicein (LFD)some tests,settings.
Individuals whichand havesettings provencontinue to be effectiveprotected atby detecting COVID-19 andvaccination provide(including aboosters), rapidpopulation result.immunity Infrom NHSinfection settings,and, polymerasefor chainindividuals reactionat (PCR)higher testsrisk mayof alsosevere beillness usedin tohigh-risk supportsettings, clinicalongoing diagnosis.
Testingavailability of residents,symptomatic servicetesting. usersThis and patients will continue to helpprovide managevital protection against outbreaks in high-riskthese settings. Symptomaticsettings testingand willthose alsowho continueare forat individualshighest whorisk areof eligibleserious illness will continue to accessbe COVID-19able treatments,to andaccess stafftesting workingand withtreatments patientsfor whoCOVID-19.
Current aretesting atproposals
Routine high-riskasymptomatic fromtesting severewill outcomes,be inpaused NHSfrom and31 hospiceAugust. settings.
Specific operational guidance will continue to be provided to the different high-risksettings settings,providing giving details of how the LFDtypes of tests and how these should be used.
WhereThe symptomaticgovernment continues to utilise both polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and rapid testing via lateral flow device (LFD) tests. The majority of testing is recommended,now thisconducted shouldby beLFD basedtests. onPCR testing is only advised in certain circumstances, typically in the currentNHS listwhere ofthere COVID-19is symptoms.
Alldirect otheraccess residents,to servicea users,laboratory patientsthat andcan staffprovide whorapid areresults.
Where symptomatic testing is recommended, this should followbe guidancebased foron the generalcurrent population.list of COVID-19 symptoms.
Testing currently recommended in NHS settings
Situation | Type of test | |
---|---|---|
Symptomatic adults | ||
PCR | ||
Symptomatic adults | ||
Discharge | ||
Symptomatic |
||
Outbreak testing in healthcare settings |
LFD |
InLocal addition to the recommended testing identified, local healthcare organisations, with appropriate advice (including from Medical Directors, Nursing Directors or Directors of Infection Prevention and Control), may exercise local discretion to continue testing for specific individuals or cohorts in line with broader infection prevention and control measures.measures, Thisfor includesexample emergencyto admission,asymptomatically electivetest pathwaystaff andor transferpatients who are at higher risk of careserious admissions,illness forfrom exampleCOVID-19 toand/or amay wardbe caringin forcontact with patients who are severelyat immunosuppressed.higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19.
Testing currently recommended in care services (adult social care and hospices)
Setting |
Testing | Type of test |
---|---|---|
Care |
Outbreak testing |
|
Symptomatic testing |
||
Hospices | Outbreak |
LFD |
Symptomatic |
LFD, where recommended by the hospice | |
Symptomatic |
LFD | |
Extra |
Symptomatic |
Adult social staff includes staff of care homes, homecare organisations, eligible extra care and supported living services, eligible adult day care centres, personal assistants, Shared Lives carers, Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors and social workers as defined in COVID-19 testing in adult social care.
Testing currently recommended in other non-healthcare settings
TheseOther settings include prisons, immigrationyoung retentionoffender orinstitutions, removalsecure training centres, IRCs, asylum reception centres, asylum hostel accommodationaccommodation, andresidential receptionspecial centres,educational homelessnessneeds settingsand (includingdisability night(SEND) shelters,settings, hostels,defence hotels,detention, otherdefence temporaryhealthcare, accommodationnight andshelters, outreach services),services, domestic abuse refugesrefuges, respite rooms, homeless shelters and respitetemporary rooms.accommodation.
Setting |
Testing | Type of test |
---|---|---|
Non- |
Outbreak |
LFD |
Symptomatic testing for |
LFD |
Thehomelessness riskservices, ofhotels harmand fromother COVID-19temporary foraccommodation; childrenother andoutreach youngservices peopleincluding isday verycentres; domestic low.
Children Settingsabuse andrefuges; youngrespite peoplerooms; (CYPIRCs), settingsasylum doreception notcentres requireand continuedasylum accesshostel accommodation; defence healthcare (including return to work testing)
LFD
Outbreak testing in residentialprisons; specialnight educationalshelters; needshomelessness services, hotels and disabilityother (SEND)temporary settingsaccommodation; orrespite therooms; CYPIRCs, secureasylum estatereception (CYPSE).
centres areand encouragedasylum tohostel followaccommodation; guidanceSEND onresidential GOV.UK:
LFD
Detailed childrensetting andspecific youngguidance peoplewill settings,be includingpublished education
shortly. andThere managingmay outbreaksbe ofexceptions acutewhere respiratorylocal illnesshealth (ARI)protection inteams theadvise CYPSE
Last
-
Update
protectiontoteamsreflectwillchangesprovidefromadvice1directlyAprilto2023.settings.
First published.
Update history
2023-05-02 17:14
Updated Testing recommended in other non-healthcare settings section.
2023-03-30 15:22
Update to reflect changes from 1 April 2023.
2022-08-24 16:37
First published.