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The government has announced that asymptomatic testing of Covid-19 in all remaining settings in England will be paused at the end of the month including across the NHS and adult social care.
This is because it expects the prevalence of Covid to remain low following the most recent wave but said that it will continue to work closely with sectors and services and will be ready to resume testing if required.
It added that deaths have fallen to 744 in the past seven days and hospitalisations to 6,005 meaning wider asymptomatic testing can soon end as planned in most instances.
Symptomatic testing in high risk settings will continue such as admissions into care homes and hospices from both hospitals and the community, and for transfers for immunocompromised patients into and within hospital to protect those who are most vulnerable.
It will also be available for outbreaks in certain high-risk settings such as care homes.
Routine asymptomatic testing in most high-risk setting paused
Year-round symptomatic testing will continue to be provided for NHS staff and staff in adult social care services and hospices and residents of care homes, extra care and supported living settings and hospices.
Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: “Thanks to the success of our world-leading vaccination roll-out, we are able to continue living with Covid and, from 31 August, we will pause routine asymptomatic testing in most high-risk settings.
“This reflects the fact case rates have fallen and the risk of transmission has reduced, though we will continue to closely monitor the situation and work with sectors to resume testing should it be needed. Those being admitted into care homes will continue to be tested.
“Our upcoming autumn booster programme will offer jabs to protect those at greatest risk from severe Covid, and I urge everyone who is eligible to take up the offer.”
Guidance on testing in adult social care settings will be updated today (24 August) and guidance on other high-risk settings will follow shortly.