Summary of changes to Track, Trace & Protect Policies in Wales
Changes to the requirement of follow up PCR tests
From 6 January 2022 those without symptoms who test positive from an LFT will no longer be advised to take a follow up PCR test.
In addition to the change above, the advice for all unvaccinated contacts has changed and they are now advised during the 10 day self-isolation period to take LFTs on day 2 & 8 instead of a PCR test. These unvaccinated individuals must remain in isolation until day 11 regardless of the LFT result on day 2 & 8.
Self-isolation period reduced from January 28 2022
People who test positive for Covid-19 will be able to leave self-isolation after 5 full days if they have 2 negative lateral flow tests, Health Minister Eluned Morgan today confirmed.
If a person is currently self-isolating as a positive case, or tests positive for Covid-19, they must self-isolate for 5 full days and should take a lateral flow test on day 5 and another test 24 hours later on day 6.
If both results are negative, it is likely they are not infectious and can stop isolating.
But anyone who tests positive on either day 5 or day 6 must continue to self-isolate until they have 2 negative tests taken 24 hours apart or until day 10, whichever comes first.
Staff who are confirmed contacts of someone with COVID-19
In summary:
- Unvaccinated staff must self-isolate for 10 days and are advised to take a LFT on day 2 and 8 of their self-isolation period.
- Fully vaccinated staff who are not in close contact with service users may return to work and should take lateral flows each morning for 7 days.
- Fully vaccinated staff who are in close contact with service users will need to contact their manager and will be required to have a negative PCR result before returning to work. These staff should also continue to use LFTs before coming into work.
- Fully vaccinated staff who work in close contact with service users who are known to be immunosuppressed and/or clinically extremely vulnerablewill not continue to work with these service users. Staff should be redeployed to work with service users who are not immunosuppressed and/or clinically extremely vulnerable. They will be asked to take the necessary tests or asked not to attend work.
All Covid care home guidance can be found here.
Regular Asymptomatic Lateral Flow Testing
From the 17 December 2021 our guidance for all public-facing health and social care staff changed from twice weekly LFT testing to a recommendation that LFTs should be taken each day staff attend a health or social care setting for work. It is vitally important that staff report all of their LFD tests using the government portal, regardless of the result, so that we can gain assurance that testing is happening at expected levels.
All Covid care home guidance can be found here.
