Nursing home residents are at high risk for infection, serious illness, and death from COVID-19. Testing for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in respiratory specimens can detect current infections (referred to here as viral testing) among residents and HCP in nursing homes. Viral testing in nursing homes, with authorized nucleic acid or antigen detection assays, is an important addition to other infection prevention and control recommendations aimed at preventing SARS-CoV-2 from entering nursing homes, detecting cases quickly, and stopping transmission.

This guideline is based on currently available information about COVID-19 and will be refined and updated as more information becomes available.