CDPH Requires Weekly Testing of All Skilled-Nursing Facility Staff  

September 15, 2020

This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.

CDPH has issued AFL 20-53.3, updating its guidance for testing health care personnel and residents at skilled-nursing facilities. The revised AFL clarifies and aligns with the CMS interim final rule on testing, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance and terminology. Among the important updates:

  • Skilled-nursing facilities without positive COVID-19 cases are required to test all health care personnel weekly.
  • Those with a positive COVID-19 case are required to implement response-driven testing, as described in the AFL.
  • Use of point-of-care antigen test instruments and associated requirements
  • Test reporting requirements

The AFL also clarifies policies for testing newly admitted/readmitted residents and residents previously diagnosed with COVID-19, and quarantine for newly admitted residents.