To enable care homes to continue to test for COVID-19 during the winter period without delay, care homes are able to request additional stock of LFD tests for residents eligible for COVID-19 treatments and outbreak testing. The number of tests available will depend on a care home’s total bed capacity as registered with the CQC. If the total bed capacity is 10 or less, you will be able to order 70 tests. If the bed capacity is 11 or more, you will be able to order 497 tests. Tests can be ordered via the portal until 3 November.

Extra Care and Support Living Settings (ECSL) can also request additional stock of LFD tests for symptomatic testing for residents eligible for COVID-19 treatments or additional testing only if this is advised by Health Protection Teams (or other relevant local partner) in specific circumstances. Extra Care and Supported Living setting can order 70 LFD tests, which can also be ordered via the same portal.

Requesting additional stock of LFD tests will not affect any orders waiting to be fulfilled or your ability to order LFD tests should you need them at a later date. If you have any urgent questions regarding testing within your setting please refer to the IPC guidance or contact 119.

There is no change in testing guidance; this aims to ensure availability of tests for the winter season.