Update on Covid-19 Testing

An important update to guidance on COVID-19 testing and changes to ordering guidelines.

From Wednesday 31 August, the Government announced that routine asymptomatic testing in all adult social care services will be paused due to falling COVID-19 prevalence nationally.

Full details about the changes across the sector and the public health rationale can be found in the press notice which you can access here.

The decision to pause routine asymptomatic testing in adult social care is based on the falling prevalence of COVID-19 in the community, reducing the likelihood of individuals entering adult social care services being infectious and therefore reducing the relative risk of spreading COVID-19 within a service.

COVID-19 vaccination and the ongoing availability of symptomatic testing will provide protection against outbreaks, whilst staff can avoid having to test regularly when it is not necessary or proportionate to the level of risk.

There will be no changes in guidance on what to do if an individual tests positive, or on symptomatic testing, with free LFD tests continuing to be available for all staff who experience symptoms of COVID-19 through the online order portal.

As of today, Wednesday 31 August, you will no longer be able to place orders of LFD tests for routine asymptomatic testing. However, you can continue to access tests for symptomatic testing using your UON.
 

•    All staff should keep a box of tests at home in case they display symptoms of COVID-19. These tests are for use by staff only, and in line with current policy.

•    To order symptomatic tests, visit the online order portal as normal.

•    You will need to tell us the number of symptomatic staff you have had in the past 6 weeks. Only tell us about staff who require more symptomatic tests. 

•    We advise that each staff member ensures they have at least two LFDs tests at home, so they are prepared to conduct symptomatic testing.

•    We will deliver to your organisation a box of 7 LFDs for every staff member when replenishing stock.

•    You can order again for symptomatic testing every 6 weeks (42 days).

The testing regime will continue to be kept under review and any further changes will be based on public health advice and the latest available evidence. We will ensure you are supported in resuming testing again should it be needed.
 
If you have any issues or concerns, please contact 119.