Case Reporting for Health Care Providers
Submit Confidential Morbidity Reports (CMRs) within 24 hours on patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection that have been hospitalized or have died. Providers should continue to report Multi-System Inflammatory Syndromes in Children (MIS-C).
- Fax to 510-273-3944 or send by secure email to COVIDreport@acgov.org.
Laboratories must continue to report positive and negative results via Electronic Laboratory Reporting (ELR) or by fax within 24 hours.
Reporting Threshold for Long-Term Care Facilities
- ≥1 probable or confirmed* COVID-19 cases in a resident or healthcare provider;
- ≥3 or more cases of acute illness compatible with COVID-19 in residents with onset within a 72-hour period
How to report: For facilities reporting their first outbreak, call 510-268-2785, Monday -Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. On weekends, call Alameda County Fire Dispatch at 925-422-7595 and ask to speak to the Public Health Duty Officer on call.
For facilities that have previously had an outbreak of COVID-19, please report to 510-268-2785 or email LTCFOutbreak@acgov.org. More reporting information and guidance can be found on the Long-Term Care Facility page.
Reporting Threshold for Adult Day Programs & Adult Day Health Centers
- ≥1 probable or confirmed* COVID-19 cases in a client/participant or facility staff
- ≥3 or more cases of acute illness compatible with COVID-19 in in client/participant/staff with onset within a 72-hour period
How to report: For facilities reporting their first outbreak, call 510-268-2785, Monday -Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
For facilities that have previously had an outbreak of COVID-19, please report to 510-268-2785 or email LTCFOutbreak@acgov.org.
Reporting Threshold for Health Care Facilities
Acute care facilities are required to report the following to the Alameda County Public Health Department per AFL 20-75:
- ≥2 cases of confirmed* COVID-19 in a patient 7 or more days after admission for a non-COVID condition, with epi-linkage†;
- ≥2 cases of confirmed* COVID-19 in healthcare providers (HCP) with epi-linkage† in counties with <4 daily new cases per 100k population or <5% test positivity based on the county positivity rate reported in the past week, or
- ≥3 cases of confirmed* COVID-19 in HCPs with epi-linkage† in counties with ≥4 daily new cases per 100k population or ≥5% test positivity based on the county positivity rate reported in the past week.
*See CSTE position statement for probable and confirmed case definitions.
†Epi-linkage among HCP is defined as having the potential to have been within 6 ft for 15 minutes or longer while working in the facility during the 14 days prior to the onset of symptoms; for example, worked on the same shift or in proximity. Epi-linkage among patients is defined as overlap on the same unit or ward or having the potential to have been cared for by common HCP within 14-days of each other.
How to Report:
Healthcare facilities with staff ONLY cases and contacts should complete the SPOT Intake Form for Workplaces. Visit ACPHD’s Workplace Guidance under Recording and Reporting COVID-19 for more detailed instructions.
Healthcare facilities reporting PATIENT AND STAFF cases and contacts Email covidob@acgov.org and include the name and contact information of the reporter, facility name, number of employees or patients/residents involved, and a brief description. DO NOT include the names, date of birth, or any other protected health information of any persons diagnosed with or exposed to COVID-19 until a staff member from public health reaches out to you with instructions about how to securely report confidential information. More information about COVID-19 outbreak reporting for healthcare facilities and congregate living facilities can be found on the Healthcare Providers Page.
Outpatient health facilities, including dialysis facilities, emergency departments, urgent care, primary care, and dental offices must report the following to Alameda County Public Health Department per local reporting thresholds based on the reporting thresholds found on pages 5-6 of the CORHA Proposed Investigation/Reporting Thresholds for COVID-19 in Healthcare Settings:
- Most outpatient settings: ≥3 confirmed* COVID-19 cases in patients or HCP with epi-linkage † AND no other more likely sources of exposure for at least 2 of the cases.
- Elevated Exposure Risk Ambulatory Specialty Clinics (e.g. dental clinics, ENT, ophthalmology, oncology, infusion centers etc.): ≥1 confirmed* COVID-19 cases in HCP or ≥2 cases in patients with epi-linkage †.
*See CSTE position statement for probable and confirmed case definitions.
†Epi-linkage among HCP is defined as having the potential to have been within 6 ft for 15 minutes or longer while working in the facility during the 14 days prior to the onset of symptoms; for example, worked on the same shift or in proximity. Epi-linkage among patients is defined as overlap on the same unit or ward or having the potential to have been cared for by common HCP within 14-days of each other.
How to Report:
Healthcare facilities with staff ONLY cases and contacts should complete the SPOT Intake Form for Workplaces. Visit ACPHD’s Workplace Guidance under Recording and Reporting COVID-19 for more detailed instructions.
Healthcare facilities reporting PATIENT AND STAFF cases and contacts Email covidob@acgov.org and include the name and contact information of the reporter, facility name, number of employees or patients/residents involved, and a brief description. DO NOT include the names, date of birth, or any other protected health information of any persons diagnosed with or exposed to COVID-19 until a staff member from public health reaches out to you with instructions about how to securely report confidential information. More information about COVID-19 outbreak reporting for healthcare facilities and congregate living facilities can be found on the Healthcare Providers Page.
Reporting Threshold for Shelters & Congregate Living Facilities
Congregate living facilities such as homeless shelters, residential treatment facilities, transitional housing facilities, room and board, group homes, and residential congregate living for youth must report the following to Alameda County Public Health Department per local reporting thresholds:
- ≥1 COVID-19 cases within a 14-day period in residents and/or staff
How to Report: Email covidob@acgov.org and follow the Step-by-Step Instructions for Controlling the Outbreak at the Facility. In the email, include the name and contact information of the reporter, facility name, number of employees or residents involved, and a brief description. DO NOT include the names, date of birth, or any other protected health information of any persons diagnosed with or exposed to COVID-19.
Then, complete the Shared Portal for Outbreak Tracking (SPOT) Intake Form. More information and guidance about COVID-19 outbreak management and reporting for congregate living facilities can be found on the Healthcare Providers Page.Reporting Threshold for Correctional Facilities
County jails and juvenile detention centers must report the following to Alameda County Public Health Department in accordance with local reporting thresholds:
- ≥1 COVID-19 cases within a 14-day period in an inmate, corrections staff and/or contracted staff
How to report: Email COVIDCorrections@acgov.org and include the name and contact information of the reporter, facility name, number of employees or inmates involved, and a brief description. DO NOT include protected health information (PHI) of any patients.
Reporting Threshold for Schools, Childcare & Youth Congregate Settings
Children and Youth Congregate Settings, including daycares, schools, camps, and youth sports programs must report the following to Alameda County Public Health Department per CDPH K-12 guidance and local reporting thresholds:
- 3 or more COVID-19 cases within a 14-day period in a student and/or staff
How to Report: To report a case of COVID-19, complete the Schools Portal for Outbreak Tracking (SPOT) Intake Form. More reporting information and guidance can be found on the Schools and Childcare page.
Reporting Threshold for Workplaces
Workplace must report the following to the Alameda County Public Health Department per AB 685, Cal/OSHA, and CDPH guidance:
- ≥3 COVID-19 cases among workers at the same worksite within a 14-day period
How to report: To report a suspected outbreak, complete the Shared Portal for Outbreak Tracking (SPOT) Intake Form and follow the Step-by-Step Instructions for Controlling the Outbreak at the Facility. More reporting information and guidance can be found on the Workplace and Recovery page.
Download a printable version of the following resource:
Workplace Steps to Controlling and Preventing Outbreaks (ACPHD 5/24/2022)
