Representative body Care England has backed plans by the UK government to roll out testing for all care home residents and staff and their family members with Covid-19 symptoms.
The roll-out will also extend to all residents admitted to care homes from hospital, including those who are asymptomatic.
The Care Quality Commission, which will coordinate the tests, aims to contact all 30,000 care providers by the end of this week.
Previously, resident tests were available for up to five symptomatic residents per care home where there has been an outbreak.
Care England chief executive Martin Green said care homes would now be in a “much better position to face this virus head on once they have been able to test both their staff, residents and new residents who have been discharged from hospital into their care homes”.
He added: “Testing and PPE go hand in hand and are at the forefront of all care providers’ minds. It is heartening to know that the government is listening to the sector.
“I’m humbled to see the amazing work that the social care workers are doing round the clock and would urge anyone who thinks that a career in social care is unskilled or not a key worker to think again”.
The testing plans will eventually be extended to anyone admitted to a care home from the community.
The social care plans are part of the government’s wider target for 100,000 tests a day by the end of April.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the government has begun testing social care workers and will roll it out nationwide “over the coming days”.
“Testing is key in our battle against coronavirus, and as part of our plan to prevent the spread and save lives we will ensure that everyone in social care who needs a test can have a test,” he added.
