CMS has released updated COVID-19 testing guidance (QSO-20-38-NH Revised) for all nursing homes. Two major changes include a requirement for ALL residents and staff to be tested immediately, whether they are vaccinated or not, and a requirement for staff and residents to be tested if they had close contact with someone who tests positive.
The guidance also clarifies how often routine testing should be conducted for staff who are not current or “up to date” on their vaccinations should occur. CMS ties the frequency of testing to community transmission levels, ranging from no testing in community transmission is low, to twice a week testing if community transmission is “substantial” or “high.”