Care home staff in England are set to receive two rapid-result tests weekly to protect against Covid.
This means that care home staff in all tiers throughout England will be given two lateral flow device tests (LFDs), in addition to the weekly PCR tests.
Public Health England also confirmed earlier today that the tests can detect the new variant.
The rollout of rapid testing is being supported by a £149 million grant after care providers raised concerns about the added pressures associated with using the tests and enabling safe visits.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said in a Downing Street press conference that the current Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is now being delivered in care homes saying: “I’m delighted to be able to announce that we have begun vaccination in care homes.
“We know they are the most vulnerable to the disease. It’s another enormous logistical challenge.
“I’m very grateful to colleagues in the NHS have worked so hard to make this happen.”
“I think we all need a bit of good news and the reality is this vaccine programme is the way we’re going to get through this because every time somebody is vaccinated our country becomes a little bit safer, they become a little bit safer and we get a little bit closer to the life that we all want to get back to.”
