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The California Department of Public Health issued a State Public Health Officer Order on Feb. 10 that significantly eases required reporting of COVID-19 by health care providers and labs.
Effective Feb. 10:
- Health care providers must report the hospitalization and/or death of a patient due to COVID-19 within one working day. Previously, health care providers were required to report all COVID-19 cases immediately by telephone.
- Laboratories must report all COVID-19 test results within 24 hours of the time the laboratory notifies the health care provider or other person authorized to receive the report. Previously, laboratories were required to report more rapidly.
This order will be in effect until rescinded. The reporting of hospitalizations and deaths by health care providers outlined in this order is in addition to weekly reporting of hospitalized COVID-19 cases by hospitals as required under All Facilities Letter 21-25. Also, health care providers conducting point-of-care testing must still report test results consistent with the requirements for laboratories.
