What actions should be taken if SARS-CoV-2 is detected in a facility?

When SARS-CoV-2 is detected in a facility, testing all residents is a crucial step in infection control. This action helps to identify any asymptomatic carriers of the virus, who could potentially spread it to others in the facility. Widespread testing enables timely diagnosis and can significantly reduce transmission rates by allowing for early isolation of positive cases, thus protecting both residents and staff.

By testing all residents, the facility can implement appropriate containment measures and begin contact tracing, which is essential to understand the spread within the community. This level of vigilance is particularly vital in settings like nursing homes, where vulnerable populations reside, and rapid action can help prevent outbreaks.

Other options, such as only testing symptomatic residents, isolating without testing, or simply monitoring for symptoms without conducting tests, do not provide a comprehensive strategy to control an outbreak. They could result in undetected cases remaining in the community, increasing the risk of spread and potentially leading to severe outcomes among the residents. Thus, testing all residents aligns with best practices for infection prevention and control in healthcare settings dealing with COVID-19.