Notice of Outbreak Definition Change for Long-Term Care
The Department of Health has adopted the updated COHRA/CSTE outbreak definition for healthcare on January 1st. The major changes are detailed here, and the full definition can be found at the link below.
- Changes the threshold for a long-term care outbreak from only 1 resident case to 2 resident cases within 7 days.
- Changes healthcare personnel only outbreaks from 3 healthcare personnel to 2 healthcare personnel and 1 resident case. (there are no more healthcare personnel only outbreaks).
- Removes outpatient care.
Note:
- facilities with a CLIA waiver still have an obligation to report all lab confirmed cases of COVID-19 to public health.
- guidance does not change any reporting requirements to regulatory bodies such as DSHS or HSQA.
For questions about this change, please reach out to [email protected]; click here for the full definition.
The DOH specific guidance can be found here: Interim COVID-19 Outbreak Definition for Healthcare Settings (wa.gov)
