Update to adult social care providers on Covid-19 guidance
Please download a summary of the most recent guidance updates from North Somerset Council. This guidance may change often over the next few weeks and as mentioned yesterday it is important that you and your managers are signed up for the daily Gov updates by email.
The emergence of Omicron has led to updates to public health guidance for the whole population as well as in health and social care. This alert summarises latest changes but all providers should refer to latest guidance on the gov.uk website to ensure they are up to date.
Changes to the management of Covid-19 contacts
People that live with or been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 are particularly at risk of becoming infected and spreading it. Some still need to isolate in this situation but daily testing for contacts of Covid-19 (DTCC) is being introduced for those that are exempt (either fully vaccinated or under 18 years and 6 months old).
Please be aware that there continue to be additional requirements for health and social care staff, as outlined in the COVID-19: management of staff and exposed patients or residents in health and social care settings guidance. Staff who are identified as a close contact of someone with COVID-19 and are not legally required to self-isolate are required to have a negative PCR test prior to returning to work and are advised to take an LFD test every day for the following 10 days.
Vaccinated care home residents should also have one PCR test taken after any close contact with Covid-19 and should self-isolate until a negative result is received. This will be followed by daily lateral flow tests for the remainder of the 10-day period. Refer to the guidance on admission and care of residents in a care home during COVID-19 for further information. Unvaccinated residents need to self-isolate for 14 days.
If symptoms or signs consistent with Covid-19 develop in these staff or residents then they should self-isolate and get another PCR test.
Routine staff testing
It has been announced that routine staff testing in care homes will be increased from 2 to 3 times weekly. This will also apply to high-risk extra care/supported living/day centres. This change is not yet reflected in national guidance so please monitor this webpage for updates:
Care home visiting
National guidance on care home visiting has been updated.
Now only three named visitors and one essential care give per resident are allowed.
For those residents visiting out who are not fully vaccinated, they will need to self-isolate on return to care home for 14 days.
Care home residents who have had 2 doses of the vaccine, or are exempt from vaccination, should not have to isolate for 14 days after most visits out of the care home, but should take a lateral flow test every day for 10 days following the visit out.
There are certain types of activity where the risks are inherently higher and the advice is that, in these cases, the resident should self-isolate for 14 days on their return to the care home regardless of their vaccine status.
Care homes should update their visiting policy and risk assessments according. Please refer to the national guidance for full details.
See: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visiting-care-homes-during-coronavirus
Covid-19 vaccinations
Vaccination is one of our best defences to combat infection. The COVID-19 vaccine significantly reduces the transmission of infection, particularly after 2 or more doses. It is strongly recommended that people that are vulnerable to infection and those that have regular contact with them receive 2 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, plus their booster, especially in light of the emergence of the Omicron variant.
Since November 2021, all care home workers have needed to be fully vaccinated unless they are exempt under the regulations. This requirement is expanding to more staff in the health and care sector. Please visit www.grabajab.net for a full list of options for having your COVID-19 booster in our area.
It has been announced that care homes will be able to request follow up booster visits. Local details are currently under review so look out for updates from the NHS on this.
Care home visitors and those that live at home with people receiving care may be keen to get their vaccinations if they have not yet had it and should be encouraged to do so if eligible. The NHS will be adding more capacity across our area and the most up to date list of options for vaccination can be found on www.grabajab.net.
Public health advice
North Somerset Council Public Health Team can support with queries that are not covered within the national guidance. You can contact the team by email at Health.Protection@n-somerset.gov.uk. Please include a summary of your question and a number to call back on if the team need to contact you by phone.