California is experiencing an unprecedented and exponential surge in COVID-19 cases and staffing, and other resources are becoming strained. This notice is to announce that the state will be sending test kits to SNFs for visitor testing. To facilitate visitation, the state is sending roughly 330,000 CLIA waived BinaxNow antigen tests to SNFs. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) will send county allocations to the Medical Health Operational Area Coordinator (MHOAC) program to place orders and coordinate delivery to SNFs. This allocation is based on three test kits for each licensed SNF bed. To receive the testing supplies SNFs should contact their MHOAC program to indicate the number of test kits they need with a maximum of three tests per licensed bed. 

SNFs receiving testing supplies from the state must use the tests to facilitate visitation and to comply with the requirement that visitors must have a negative SARS-CoV-2 test to be eligible for an indoor visit as required by the Public Health Officer issued December 31, 2021. SNFs must verify that visitors are vaccinated, have had all recommended doses and provide evidence of a negative SARS-CoV-2 test within one day of visitation for antigen tests, or within two days of visitation for PCR tests.

If you have any questions about this AFL, please contact your local district office.

Sincerely,

Original signed by Cassie Dunham

Cassie Dunham

Acting Deputy Director