Modified Testing Requirements for Home Care Staff in Nursing Homes 

Situation Report | January 11, 2021

On January 7, the state Department of Health issued guidance that requires all nursing homes to test for or arrange for the testing of all personnel, including all employees and contract staff, for COVID-19 twice per week.

In previous instructions, DOH stated that contracted personnel included home care and hospice staff.

This new guidance differs from the November 10 guidance in which the twice-per-week testing requirement only applied to nursing homes located in red, orange or yellow zones.

Any positive test result must be reported to DOH by 1 p.m. of the day following receipt of such test results, in accordance with existing reporting protocols and mechanisms. Each nursing home will have seven days from January 7 to be in full compliance with this directive and must continue to comply with all prior applicable directives and guidance.