How to Respond to a COVID-19 Outbreak- England (Last update: 03.12.20)

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December 3, 2020

Alternatively, you can see the guidance here:

A) How to Respond to a COVID-19 Outbreak

B) What are COVID-19 Symptoms?

The most common are:

and for frail older people

Remember: People with Dementia may not be able to tell you their symptoms and will need special observation – Use the RESTORE2 tools.

Record suspected or confirmed cases, end of suspected outbreak, end of confirmed outbreak in staff/residents on the eForms

C) What is an outbreak?

2 or more confirmed cases of COVID-19 or suspected cases in people linked with the home, with onset within 14 days of each other.

D) What do we need to do if we suspect an outbreak?

Home Manager: Contact the local Health Protection Team – they will advise on next steps and set up testing for all staff and residents if appropriate. The HPT will test again in 4-7 days for negative and missed tests.

Have the following information to hand:

Isolate residents with symptoms immediately for 14 days from the onset of symptoms – and – in single rooms with a bathroom where possible. With multiple cases you should try to isolate a wing or part of the building for cases. Try to allocate a group of staff to work solely with residents who are in isolation and another group of staff to work with those who are negative
Contact GPs of individual confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases
Immediately start full infection control measures and increase the frequency of monitoring residents
Check any local policy and outbreak management arrangements
Postpone routine, non-essential medical and other appointments, use of Near Me
Stop visiting except in exceptional circumstances such as end of life. All visitors must wear a protective face covering, perform hand hygiene and keep their distance where possible
Keep monitoring residents and ensure those who need to, are shielding
28 days after the last resident/member of staff tested positive or showed coronavirus-like symptoms, test all residents and staff again
If no further cases are identified, the outbreak has ended

E) Staff during an outbreak

Staff who have COVID-19 symptoms:

Staff with positive tests should self-isolate for 10 days
They can only return to work when clinical symptoms have improved and they have had no fever for 48 hours following the period of isolation
Staff who become symptomatic at work must immediately put on a surgical mask, notify their manager and go home to get tested by using the online portal. They must avoid using public transport
If staff develop symptoms, they must notify their line manager immediately

F) Key facts in an outbreak

Remember all national restrictions apply
Two or more confirmed or clinically suspected cases with onset within 14 days and linked is an outbreak
It is the Manager’s duty to alert the local Health Protection Team – they will advise on next steps
Infection control frequency to be increased
Isolate residents with positive COVID-19 or suspected cases for 14 days
Restrict visiting to exceptional circumstances
Staff with positive tests or those suspected of having COVID-19 or awaiting tests should isolate at home
Record all cases on the eForms on the Care Inspectorate website
Where the individual resident’s symptoms worsen, seek medical help

G) Good to know

Notify the Care Inspectorate if coronavirus affects the day to day running of the business, using the ‘events that stop a service running safely and properly form’
You must send your notifications online via eForms

H) PPE in an outbreak

Disposable gloves – Single use to protect you from contact with residents’ body fluids and secretions
Disposable plastic apron – Single use to protect you from contact with residents’ body fluids and secretions
Fluid-repellent (Type IIR) surgical mask – To be worn continuously until breaks

I) Support in an outbreak