Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has to provide guidance to the residential care sector on isolating care home residents that test positive for covid-19 in order to reduce the transmission of that disease to vulnerable residents.

To support the care sector in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department published the Adult Social Care Action Plan on 15 April 2020. The action plan contains measures to help keep people safe in residential care, including additional testing and guidance on isolation and cohorting measures.

Additionally, the Government, NHS England, Public Health England and Care Quality Commission co-published updated guidance on 2 April 2020. ‘Admission and Care of Residents during COVID-19 Incident in a Care Home’ sets out infection control and cohorting advice to care homes to ensure providers have the confidence to receive and support residents.

The Care Homes guidance includes information on caring for residents who have tested positive for COVID-19, including advice on personal protective equipment and infection control. Care home providers should be following social distancing measures and shielding guidance wherever possible.