[Withdrawn] Care home outbreak testing for COVID-19 flowchart: staff and residents (text alternative)
Updated 31 March 2023
Applies to England
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Quick reference guide for the COVID-19 testing in Adult Social Care guidance.
Please note this document is being updated following changes to outbreak management guidance and outbreak testing guidance.
Step 1: Have there been 2 or more positive COVID-19 cases in a 14-day period?
No
If any staff member or resident becomes symptomatic, they should take an LFD test on day 0 and then on day 2. If either of these are positive, follow the guidance in the IPC - COVID-19 supplement.
Positive case
If there is one positive case in the home, staff should conduct rapid response testing for 5 days. If there are further linked cases within the 5-day period, contact the health protection team (HPT) (or relevant authority) for advice.
Yes
Contact the HPT and start rapid response testing.
Begin rapid response testing and contact the HPT (or relevant authority) if you suspect an outbreak.
An outbreak is
Two or more positive (or clinically suspected) linked cases of COVID-19 associated with the same setting within a 14-day period.
Outbreak testing (if advised)
Day 1
All staff and residents take PCR* and LFD tests.
Days 4 to 7
Staff and residents take one PCR* and one LFD on one of these days.
Day 7 onwards
No further testing until outbreak recovery testing unless individuals become symptomatic.
Step 2: Has anyone tested positive in the last 10 days of the outbreak?
No
Conduct outbreak recovery testing
All staff and residents conduct a PCR* test.
Yes
Outbreak continues
Continue LFD testing any newly symptomatic individuals.
Were any new positives found?
No
COVID-19 outbreak measures can be lifted.
Yes
Continue outbreak measures if new cases could be linked to the original outbreak. You can get advice from your HPT or relevant authority. After 10 days of no new positives, repeat step 2.
Step 3: After outbreak recovery testing
Have there been 2 or more positive (or clinically suspected) linked cases in the home after outbreak recovery testing?
No
No further testing unless individuals become symptomatic.
Yes
This should be classed as a new potential outbreak and the care home should follow the process from step 1.
Read the COVID-19 Testing in Adult Social Care guidance document for further information.
*If an individual has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days, they should not conduct a PCR test.