Resource Details

Antigen Testing in Congregate Shelters

Process Outline and Implementation Playbook

Year Developed: 2021

Resource Type: Publication.

Primary Audience: Administrative Staff C-Suite (CEOs, CFOs, CIO, COOs, CMOs, etc.) Clinicians

Language(s): English

Developed by: National Health Care for the Homeless Council (See other resources developed by this organization). In collaboration with UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative .

Resource Summary: Ongoing testing is still needed to identify cases and properly treat those with symptomatic or asymptomatic COVID. The CDC has issued Interim Testing Guidance for shelters and encampments to inform practices. Use this Antigen Testing Playbook for step-by-step guidance on implementing a comprehensive testing strategy in congregate shelters.

Resource Details: The Antigen Testing in Congregate Shelters: Process Outline and Implementation Playbook is intended to provide key strategy, planning, and operational considerations for implementing screening testing in congregate shelters to monitor, prevent, and respond to COVID-19 outbreaks using quick, inexpensive rapid testing solutions that present an alternative to PCR-only testing. With the use of this document, local health jurisdictions, healthcare service providers, and congregate shelters sites can coordinate to establish first-order strategic questions, operational needs (workflows, outbreak responses, staffing and resourcing needs, training considerations, etc.) and trouble-shooting processes (FAQs, testing quality control) to better protect people experiencing homelessness from the impacts of COVID-19.

Resource Topic: Clinical Issues, Special and Vulnerable Populations

Resource Subtopic: COVID-19.

Keywords: Persons Experiencing Homelessness.