Change to Covid-19 Testing

• The ordering portal for accessing test kits for outbreak testing has now closed. Guidance will be updated before 1 April to reflect changes to COVID-19 testing. Until then, settings should continue to follow the current guidance. 
• Settings should have LFD tests in stock to facilitate outbreak testing and should contact their local health protection team or other local partner if they suspect a COVID-19 or other acute respiratory infection outbreak.
• Tests to access COVID-19 treatments for those eligible can be obtained from a local pharmacy. COVID-19 treatments can be accessed via GP surgeries, NHS 111 or hospital specialists.
• For further information please see: Treatments for COVID-19 – NHS (www.nhs.uk).

Guidance: Infection prevention and control (IPC) in adult social care: acute respiratory infection (ARI)  (Updated 8 March 2024)

This guidance provides information on infection prevention and control (IPC) measures for acute respiratory infections (ARI), including COVID-19. It applies to adult social care providers, managers of adult social care services and adult social care staff in England.

The guidance also contains information that is relevant to local authorities, NHS services, service users, personal assistants, unpaid carers and visitors in adult social care settings and services in England.

This guidance is consistent with the approach of managing COVID-19 increasingly in line with other ARIs, made possible by high vaccination coverage, high immunity amongst the population, and increased access to COVID-19 treatments.

This document should be read alongside the Infection prevention and control: resource for adult social care guidance, which contains best practice on general IPC.

NHS commissioned services should refer also to the NHS England National infection prevention and control manual (NIPCM) for England.