Regular care home virus tests promised

Staff and residents in care homes for people over 65 or with dementia will be regularly tested for coronavirus from this week, the Government has announced.

The Department of Health and Social Care says staff will be tested weekly, while residents will receive a test every 28 days as part of a new social care testing strategy.

This is in addition to intensive testing in any care home facing an outbreak or at increased risk of a flareup, it added.

The repeat testing programme will be rolled out to all care homes over the next four weeks before expanding to the entire care home sector from August.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "Our response to this global pandemic has always been led by the latest scientific advice and we will now offer repeat testing to staff and residents in care homes, starting with homes for elderly residents before expanding to the entire care home sector.

"This will not only keep residents and care workers safe, but it will give certainty and peace of mind to the families who may be worried about their loved ones.”

The Government has faced criticism for failing to protect care homes from the virus.

There were 14,658 deaths linked to COVID-19 in care homes in England and Wales up to June 19, according to the latest Office for National Statistics data.

A National Audit Office report last month claimed that around 25,000 hospital patients were discharged into care homes in England at the height of the pandemic without all being tested for COVID-19.