@WotgunShedding
Not what my work policy states.
www.valeofyorkccg.nhs.uk/seecmsfile/?id=4912
Department of Health & Social Care
This announcement provides policy updates for adult care homes in England, outlining changes to the 90 retesting day guidance for PCR and LFD and testing in the event of a confirmed / suspected outbreak.
Testing within 90 days of a positive PCR test
Following a substantial clinical review of the latest evidence and testing data, we are now changing the advice for retesting within 90 days of a positive. From now on, if someone tests positive with a PCR test, they should not be tested using PCR or LFD for 90 days, unless they develop new symptoms during this time, in which case they should be retested immediately using PCR. This 90 day period is from the initial onset of symptoms or, if asymptomatic when tested, their positive test result.
The previous policy to continue LFD testing following a positive PCR result was because although very unlikely, it is possible to be re- infected within 90 days. However based on the latest testing data and clinical advice, the policy has now changed.
The clinical view is that during this 90 day window from a positive test, given the low rate of reinfection during this window, it is significantly more likely that a positive LFD test would be a false result, rather than someone being re-infected, causing people to isolate unnecessarily. Therefore we are now stopping the regular testing using LFD during this 90 day period. The individual should return to the regular LFD and PCR regime once 90 days has passed.
This means that the policy for retesting within 90 days for Adult Social Care is now the same as the policy for NHS staff. The policy also applies to professionals visiting a care home who have received a positive PCR result in the last 90 days.