This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
New portal for care homes to arrange coronavirus testing
The Department of Health and Social Care has said that all care home staff and residents are now eligible for testing with priority for those in homes that look after the over-65s.
All symptomatic and asymptomatic care home staff and residents in England are now eligible for testing, with testing prioritised for the over 65s. Testing asymptomatic workers helps prevent and control outbreaks. It means those who test positive can be isolated, reducing the number of people who can spread the virus and protecting the most vulnerable. It also helps to build up a strategic understanding of the prevalence of the virus in local areas and the sector as a whole.
The Department of Health and Social Care is working with local authority Directors of Public Health, Directors of Adult Social Services and local NHS providers to deliver this testing programme for care homes.
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “The additional testing capacity we have achieved delivers many thousands of tests a day for residents and staff in care homes. This new portal allows those who book tests for staff and residents to do so even more easily, and it also offers a route for the prioritisation of care homes with the greatest need. We will continue to grow our testing capacity, as we know the certainty and confidence that high quality testing can provide.”
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