Guidance

Annexe: further information

Published 4 March 2022

Testing for staff in Vivaldi study care homes

All staff in care homes that are participating in the Vivaldi study should take a lateral flow test (LFT) before the start of every shift.

They should also take a weekly polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, ideally on the same day each week.

Why Vivaldi study care homes are retaining PCR testing for staff

Homes participating in the Vivaldi study are retaining regular PCR tests as these provide additional data which is necessary for scientific research and is not available from LFTs.

For example, additional data can be obtained from PCR testing to measure how infectious an individual is likely to have been at the time of their test.

The majority of positive PCR tests are also sent for whole genomic sequencing, which provides data on the genomic code of the virus which infected that individual, helping to identify which variant of coronavirus (COVID-19) caused the infection.

This data allows the study team to undertake research to explore scientific questions such as how well the vaccines work at preventing infections for people who live and work in care homes, how effective vaccination is at reducing the spread of infection, and whether future boosters may be required to protect against COVID-19.

This research is vital in helping inform government policy in order to protect staff and residents in care homes from COVID-19.

All data from individuals who are participating in Vivaldi is held anonymously, and it is not possible for the scientific team to identify any individuals from their test results.

Please note that staff are not obliged to take a weekly PCR test if they do not wish to do so.

Actions for staff who receive a positive LFT result

You should self-isolate immediately.

You should follow the management of staff and exposed patients or residents in health and social care settings guidance on ending your isolation period.

Actions for staff who receive a positive PCR result

You should self-isolate immediately and follow the management of staff and exposed patients or residents in health and social care settings guidance on ending your isolation period.

You should not take another PCR test until 90 days after you tested positive unless an exemption applies (see guidance on repeat testing for COVID-19 on GOV.UK), however, you should restart your daily pre-shift LFT after your isolation period.

Actions for staff who receive different LFT and PCR results

Positive LFT and negative PCR

If your LFT is positive and your PCR is negative it is likely that your PCR may be a false negative.

You should self-isolate immediately and follow the management of staff and exposed patients or residents in health and social care settings guidance on ending your isolation period.

Negative LFT and positive PCR

If your LFT is negative and your PCR is positive, it is likely that you have COVID-19 but that the virus was not picked up on your LFT.

You should self-isolate immediately, and follow the management of staff and exposed patients or residents in health and social care settings guidance on ending your isolation period.

If you had previously tested positive with a PCR test in the 90 days before this PCR result, you should disregard this new, positive PCR result. This is because it is possible that you would continue to test positive with PCR tests after your infection.

Do not resume taking PCR tests until 90 days after your first positive PCR test, and continue to take only regular pre-shift LFTs until this point, unless you develop new COVID-19 symptoms.

Ordering tests for your care home

Continue to order your LFTs, PCR tests and outer return boxes in bulk from the online portal. The number of LFTs provided in your orders will be increased to reflect the change in policy to daily orders.

Outbreak testing

Outbreak testing will remain unchanged.

If your care home has one or more positive cases (or multiple symptomatic individuals), please follow the outbreak testing guidance and contact your Health Protection Team (HPT) for advice.

One positive test result may be the first sign of an outbreak, so you should also contact your HPT for advice in this instance.

Staff should continue their regular PCR testing during an outbreak, as well as their new asymptomatic regular testing regime of daily lateral flow testing.