The Department for Health and Social Care have launched a new online portal for care homes to ensure they have access to Covid-19 test kits.
Both symptomatic and asymptomatic residents and care workers are eligible for testing, with kits prioritised for the most vulnerable and over 65s.
Minister of State for Care Helen Whately said:
“Care homes are on the frontline in the fight against COVID-19 and we are determined that staff have everything they need to keep themselves and their residents safe. Testing is a crucial part of this. It helps prevent and control outbreaks and means steps can be taken to reduce the spread the virus and protect the most vulnerable.
“By prioritising thousands of tests for care home staff and residents, we can target our national testing capacity in the areas and care homes with the greatest need.”
Since April 20th, 4,387 care homes have received 140,000 test kits. Public Health England’s Health Protection Teams have also tested more than 45,000 residents when an outbreak is reported in the care home.
Local MP, Caroline Dinenage, was Minister of State for Care in the Department of Health and Social Care for just over two years. She commented:
“Testing is vital to fight and contain this virus.
“Care homes have been particularly hard hit as coronavirus has a more serious impact on the elderly and vulnerable population.
“We need to ensure that residents and workers have access to the protection and tests that they need to keep safe. This portal is another vital step towards achieving this goal.”