Admission of new residents from the community
Residents admitted to a care home from the community will not need to self-isolate. Instead, they should:
- take a PCR test before they’re admitted (within the previous 72 hours)
- take a PCR test on the day of admission (day 0)
The individual risk assessments should take into account:
- whether the person admitted is fully vaccinated – that is, they have received their primary doses and any eligible booster dose
- local guidance from the director of public health about community transmission of variants of concern
- the circumstances at the person’s home, prior to admission – whether the individual has been in contact with someone with COVID-19 symptoms during the previous 10 days
If the risk assessment shows that an incoming resident should self-isolate, this should be for 10 days. It may be possible to reduce the period of self-isolation.
If a resident is required to self-isolate upon admission from the community, this should take place within the care home. Self-isolation should not take place within the resident’s own home or be shared between the resident’s own home and care home. This is because care home managers are not able to monitor isolation periods within the resident’s own home.
Admission of residents discharged from hospital
Every individual in hospital who is ready for discharge to a care home must receive a COVID-19 PCR test result within 48 hours prior to discharge, except for those who have previously tested positive for COVID-19 and are within 90 days of their symptom onset or positive test date (if asymptomatic). The test result must be shared with the individual themselves, their key relatives or advocates, and the relevant care home provider in advance of the discharge taking place.
All individuals who test positive should be discharged to a designated setting in the first instance to complete their self-isolation period. The total isolation period can be shared across the hospital and a designated setting. Please see the designated settings guidance for further information.
Individuals who receive a negative test result within 48 hours prior to discharge should be discharged to a care home where they will not be asked to self-isolate, unless:
- They were discharged following an emergency admission (see below)
- There is possible contact with a known outbreak in the part of the hospital where they were treated
- If they are a contact of a suspected or confirmed positive case
For more information, please visit: Admission and care of residents in a care home during COVID-19 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)