The California Department of Health has issued a new All Facilities Letter (AFL) updating COVID-19 testing recommendations for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). The letter rescinds the requirement for routine diagnostic screening testing for unvaccinated exempt healthcare personnel (HCP) and booster-eligible HCP who have not yet received their booster. However, routine testing of SNF HCP may be recommended again during times of high community transmission or surge with a SARS-CoV-2 variant. SNFs must continue to comply with current federal requirements for more stringent testing of staff. The letter also provides updated testing and quarantine guidance for newly admitted and readmitted residents, diagnostic testing for symptomatic individuals, and post-exposure and response testing. SNFs should continue to ensure residents with confirmed COVID-19 are promptly isolated and integrate their mitigation plans into their infection control and emergency preparedness plans.

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