Coronavirus staff guidance University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

Update on asymptomatic COVID-19 testing and mask wearing

With the prevalence of COVID-19 in the community having fallen recently, the Government has received advice from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) that it is safe to pause some COVID-19 testing requirements.

Testing requirements as of Monday 5 September

• For elective patients: the requirement to undertake LFTs is removed (except for immunocompromised or symptomatic patients)
• For emergency patients: testing of asymptomatic patients will only be required at point of admission using the current point of care testing (removing days 3 and 5 of asymptomatic testing)

This is with the exception of the following clinically vulnerable patients, who will be tested weekly (rather than every 72 hours):

• Haematology patients
• Oncology patients
• Patients in critical care
• Solid organ transplant recipients
• Renal dialysis patients

Additionally, patients who are being discharged to care homes, still require testing prior to their discharge.

Updated screening guides are available to download:

• Inpatient screening guides from 5 September

We are also pausing the requirement for asymptomatic staff to test, except for staff who are themselves vulnerable or who look after highly vulnerable patients, as outlined in the bullet points above.

Symptomatic testing will continue for both patients and staff, based on the current list of COVID-19 symptoms. Although the main symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, a new and continuous cough, anosmia (loss of smell) and ageusia (loss of taste), it is important to remember that COVID-19 can present as a wide range of other symptoms, including shortness of breath, fatigue, loss of appetite, myalgia (muscle ache), sore throat, headache, nasal congestion (stuffy nose), runny nose, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting.

NHS staff can continue to order LFTs via the government website.

• Order rapid lateral flow tests (LFTs)

Additionally, the requirement for staff and visitors to wear masks in non-clinical areas of our hospitals and off-site buildings, including main entrances and corridors, is removed from Monday 5 September. Of course, colleagues can continue to wear a mask, should they wish to.

Please note, that this is a pause on testing requirements and mask wearing. If COVID-19 infection rates rise again, it may be necessary to reintroduce these measures.

Thank you for your ongoing support and co-operation.