DC Health Updates Reporting Process of COVID-19 Infected Personnel July 16, 2020

A new DC Health notice requires healthcare personnel and their employers to report positive COVID-19 tests in their staff.

The notice requires employers to report any healthcare personnel infected with COVID-19 who work (residing in the District or elsewhere) in the District. This includes, "any employer that provides inpatient or outpatient healthcare services and is either licensed by DC Health or functions as an independent private practice through a certificate of need."

The notice applies to paid and unpaid persons working in a healthcare setting who could expose individuals or materials. The definition goes beyond medical personnel and essentially covers anyone who may enter a medical facility and works in the medical facility. Examples include clergy, environmental services, and volunteers.

Different types of healthcare facilities have different reporting requirements.

• Regardless of facility type, a death attributed to COVID-19 needs to be reported within 24 hours to coronavirus.hai@dc.gov. The email must provide the name, email, and direct line of the person reporting the death. DC Health will follow-up to get additional details.
• Hospitals, home health agencies, and hemodialysis facilities should report cases amongst covered persons by 12 PM on Wednesdays. 
• Nursing homes and assisted living facilities should report cases by 3 PM daily
• Outpatient facilities should report cases within 24 hours

More information and reporting links can be found at the DC Health notice.