Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether it is Public Health England or private contractors who have the authority to confirm a covid-19 outbreak within a care home or Housing with Care facility.

A suspected COVID-19 outbreak in a care home is confirmed by Public Health England (PHE) where two or more residents or members of staff have laboratory confirmed COVID-19 or have reported symptoms consistent with COVID-19.

A clear definition of a suspected or confirmed case COVID-19 outbreak in a care home has been determined by PHE and the Department. This is published in Annex B of guidance on the Admission and Care of Residents in a Care Home during COVID-19 which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-admission-and-care-of-people-in-care-homes