COVID-19: MHRA authorises self-testing of care home staff with lateral flow devices

The UK’s Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has now authorised the self-testing of care home staff with lateral flow devices, so staff can receive two rapid tests as well as the PCR swab test every week.

More than 21 million PCR swab test kits and 16 million lateral flow devices (LFD)s have been sent to care homes to test all staff and residents who may not be showing symptoms of COVID-19.

The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) is making millions of these rapid test kits available to care home staff with the hope expanding asymptomatic testing will identify more positive cases of COVID-19 and ensure those infected self-isolate, protecting those who cannot work from home.

This programme is crucial given around one in three people has coronavirus without displaying any symptoms, meaning they could unknowingly spread the virus to others.

The LFDs used by the UK government go through a rigorous evaluation by the country’s leading scientists. The tests detect cases with high levels of virus, making them effective in finding infectious individuals who are not showing any symptoms and are the most likely to transmit the disease.

Health secretary Matt Hancock said: “With around one in three people not showing symptoms, testing those without symptoms is vital to breaking chains of transmission.

"By offering rapid testing in the workplace, we are offering additional peace of mind to those who are unable to work from home during the current lockdown.

“Lateral flow tests have already been hugely successful in finding positive cases we would not otherwise find and I encourage employers and workers to take this offer up to help protect essential services and businesses."

In the guide published by the NHS and DHSC, it advises in addition to the weekly PCR test, care home staff should self-test using an LFD two times per week.

In the case of a positive result found with either LFD or PCR, there will be an additional 7 days of daily LFD testing for staff required.

In the case of a suspected or confirmed outbreak, the care home will work with your local health protection team (HPT). Together they will provide you with more information on additional testing and isolation requirements.

Business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “Keeping workers safe is absolutely crucial and businesses have been working incredibly hard to prioritise the health of their staff and customers during this difficult time.

"I am pleased so many businesses have taken up the opportunity of rapid workplace testing. I would encourage even more to do so and to continue to follow our COVID-secure guidance as we pull together to protect our NHS and save lives.”

To read the guidance Your step-by-step guide for COVID-19 self-testing, go to: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/955242/care-home-lfd-self-test-guidance-v22-01.pdf