Updated CDC Guidance on Antigen Testing in Long Term Care Facilities

COVID-19
 
​​The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its guidance on antigen testing in long term care facilities. Importantly, the CDC modified the algorithm on interpreting antigen tests to include:  
  • ​When to perform confirmatory PCR tests:  
    • ​Asymptomatic people who test antigen positive should have a confirmatory test performed.   
    • Symptomatic people who test antigen negative should have a confirmatory test performed.   
  • ​What to do with discordant results.   
  • Added new variables to the decision-making process (outbreak, close contact or no outbreak).  
  • Provided additional guidance on infection control measures to take in response to test results.  ​
Facilities should adhere to this new guidance when using antigen tests.