LAC DPH: Coronavirus Disease 2019 Testing and Revised Infection Prevention Guidance

Update March 14, 2020 — LAC DPH experts hosted a webinar on March 13. The recording of COVID-19 Update with Q&A is available at their webinar event page. A request form for on-demand CME is also posted on the webpage.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LAC DPH)issued a health advisory March 11, 2020 that includes extensive updates on COVID-19 testing guidance and infection control guidance.

This is a detailed update with new information, including revised LAC DPH Public Health Laboratory COVID-19 testing criteria. Please read the full LAC DPH Health Advisory: Coronavirus Disease 2019 Testing and Revised Infection Prevention Guidance. 

Actions Requested of Providers

⇒ Contact LAC DPH for any patient who meets criteria for PHL COVID-19 testing. Please do not collect or send specimens to PHL until the case is discussed and testing is approved by DPH. When contacting DPH, please be prepared to provide a call-back number and to wait for 10-15 minutes for a call-back.

Note: Patient requests for testing should not be forwarded to LAC DPH as testing must be arranged through the healthcare provider.

⇒ Consider COVID-19 diagnostic testing using a commercial clinical laboratory for patients with fever and signs/symptoms of a community-acquired lower respiratory illness (e.g. cough or shortness of breath) for patients who do not meet criteria for testing at PHL.

Reminder: when using a clinical laboratory, providers must work directly with the laboratory for specimen collection and transport. There is no need to contact DPH unless the test result is positive.

⇒ Instruct non-hospitalized patients being tested for COVID-19 to self-isolate. Patients should follow strict home isolation until their test result is negative or until they are told by LAC DPH or their healthcare provider that they are no longer infectious. Patients can view the Home Isolation Instructions for Novel Coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19).