The guidance is to be used to support the response to coronavirus (COVID-19). It applies to adult social care settings and services in England from 3 April 2023. It should be read with the infection prevention and control (IPC) resource for adult social care, which should be used as a basis for anyIPCresponse.
This guidance now also includes all information on COVID-19 testing in adult social care, and details the testing regimes for eligible staff and residents and where outbreaks are suspected.
The guidance is for people responsible for setting and maintaining standards ofIPCwithin adult social care in England, such as care managers.
Removed notice about changes coming into effect from 'COVID-19 supplement to the infection prevention and control resource for adult social care'.
Moved 'COVID-19 testing: terms and conditions' and 'COVID-19 self-test for staff, service users and visitors in adult social care settings: privacy notice' from COVID-19 testing for adult social care services.
Updated to reflect changes to testing policy implemented from 3 April 2023. Information previously contained within the 'COVID-19 testing in adult social care guidance' included.
Updated section on face masks: visitors as well as staff might consider wearing a mask if they're aware they are a household or overnight contact of someone who has had a positive test result for COVID-19.
Updated to reflect announcement on use of masks: the guidance now recommends a risk-based approach. The guidance has also been updated to reflect changes to outbreak management in care homes that enable providers to initiate risk assessment themselves. Added a section covering if a member of staff is symptomatic or tests positive for COVID-19.
Updated to add links to COVID-19 PPE guide for adult social care services and settings, COVID-19 PPE guide for unpaid carers, and PPE guide for non-aerosol generating procedures.
