Updates to DOH COVID-19 Outbreak Definition and Outbreak Reporting Requirements

The definition of a COVID-19 outbreak was updated effective January 1, 2024. Based on this update, there will be a couple more pieces of information to be mindful of when reporting COVID-19 to your local health jurisdiction and the RCS/CRU hotline. The department published a Dear Provider Letter on 1/22/2024 that outlines the difference between an “outbreak” and a “case” of COVID-19. We recommend that providers still report when anyone in the AFH has tested positive for COVID-19, however, now the CRU will be looking for information about the source or potential “epi-linkage” of the infection and whether the infection rises to the definition of an “outbreak” vs a “case.” Here is a link to the Dear Provider Letter for more information.