New Virginia behavioral health admissions guidance: No COVID test for asymptomatic patients under 65

With the Centers for Disease Control’s guidance, COVID-19 these days is treated — in the general population — like other respiratory infections. 

To that end, the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) has updated its COVID-19 guidance regarding admissions. Following this guidance, most private hospitals’ behavioral health units have also updated their protocols to be in line with state-run facilities.

In summary:

• Testing for COVID-19 is only required for individuals aged 65 and older and only if there are positive symptoms or a positive recent exposure

• No testing is required prior to admission for negative screening

• COVID-19 positive patients may be admitted by Day 5 or sooner if they have two negative tests 24 to 48 hours apart and symptoms have improved, or the patient is asymptomatic

For the full clinical details, we have the full memo from DBHDS from March 27.

And if your hospital has not updated its guidelines, consider speaking to leadership about following DBHDS and its partners. Questions? Ask VACEP.