Managing and reporting confirmed or suspected ARI’s
This page provides guidance and information on what adult social care providers need to do if they have a positive or suspected ARI case in their setting. Unless it is otherwise specified, the guidance relates to all care settings.
This page includes information on the following:
How to report ARI’s
Capacity tracker
Outbreak management guidance
Quick links
COVID-19: testing from 1 April 2024 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
COVID-19 rapid guideline: managing COVID-19, NICE
Please click the following links to find out further information about infection prevention control and testing.
How to report confirmed or suspected Covid-19, Flu, or other Acute Respiratory Infections
UKHSA
Care settings to report confirmed or suspected ARI outbreaks via the OBRA Tool: https://forms.ukhsa.gov.uk/ReportAnOutbreak
The system will perform an initial triage to assess whether the report concerns:
a single case or an outbreak
a residential/nursing care home or another type of ASC setting
a low-risk, medium risk, or high priority outbreak according to the combination of red and amber flags
You will receive two automated emails:
- An “acknowledgment email” with a Care OBRA reference number and a copy of your data
- An “advice email” providing immediate information/advice on how to manage the situation reported.
- You may receive an additional “advice email” if, for example, you are reporting a COVID-19 outbreak AND a single case of Flu.
UKHSA will then assess the data (within 1-2 working days) and take further action if specialist advice is required. For example, call you, send a follow-up email with specific advice, inform relevant partners, such as, LA PH team, IPC, & ICB.
Aim of the OBRA Tool
To allow adult social care settings to:
- Report suspected / confirmed ARI’s without the need to ring or email the HPT beforehand.
- Collect all the relevant information and enter it into an electronic platform at a time that suits them.
- Receive a summary of the data entered in the Care OBRA Tool
- Receive immediate email advice on how to manage their situation and automatically identify the higher risk situations.
Completed OBRA’s allow the HPT to:
- Identify and prioritise incidents requiring specialist HPT input.
- Focus on interventions that will achieve the greatest public health impact.
- Provide local system partners with timely and accurate information.
Health and Safety Executive
Consider if a RIDDOR report is required RIDDOR – Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 – HSE
Capacity tracker
The capacity tracker is a valuable tool in CQC regulated Adult Social Care. The information provided goes towards significant updates to government policy in the areas of regulated care. Provider co-operation on completing the capacity tracker is appreciated. If providers have any queries about any of the above, please contact the Capacity Tracker team: capacitytracker-guidance@dhsc.gov.uk or the Support Centre 01916913729 from 8.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday, excluding Bank Holidays.
Updating the Capacity Tracker
Providers are recommended to update the tracker when a positive Covid-19 case(s) is identified.
For queries about the regular meetings or local South West issues, please contact: Alex Arvidsson alex.arvidssonkafshi@nhs.net.
For care home ICF2/ASC fund weekly and monthly questions: Capacitytracker-guidance@dhsc.gov.uk
For any technical / system queries, please contact the Capacity Tracker team: capacitytracker@nhs.net
For the Capacity Tracker Support Centre on 0191 691 3729 or via email: capacitytracker@nhs.net
For interpretation of questions on the Tracker: guidance@dhsc.gov.uk
DHSC Workforce survey: Capacitytracker-guidance@dhsc.gov.uk
Video ‘How To’ guides
There is a number of video guides on the capacity tracker available. To access, providers need to view the User Guide.
Outbreak testing guidance
To find out about testing during an outbreak please visit the COVID-19 testing page.
Outbreak control measures
An outbreak is defined as 2 or more positive or clinically suspected linked cases of ARI’s within the same setting within a 5-day period, where transmission within the care setting was likely to have occurred.
The care setting should check if the individual/s are eligible for Covid-19 treatment, those that are eligible should be LFD tested, for those who are not eligible testing is not required unless specifically advised by the HPT or other local partner.
Outbreak management guidance should be followed Infection prevention and control: resource for adult social care – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Admissions during outbreak
Admissions are allowed:
Admissions from hospitals will no longer have routine Covid-19 testing prior to discharge. COVID-19: testing from 1 April 2024 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Care settings should complete risk assessments for any admission that is known to have an ARI Infection prevention and control: resource for adult social care – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The swhpt@ukhsa.gov.uk can advise on admissions during outbreak.