East Bay COVID-19 Update: March 25, 2020

As of March 24, there are 135 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Alameda County and 2 deaths (including City of Berkeley information.) As of March 24, there are 86 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Contra Costa County and 1 death. Please check www.accma.org/COVID-19 for the latest updates. 
Bay Area Jurisdictions Joint Press Release

Seven Bay Area jurisdictions (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara, with the City of Berkeley) issued a joint press release on March 24, announcing new reporting requirements for laboratories that test for COVID-19. Laboratories must report results of tests for all residents of each jurisdiction to the ordering health care provider and the appropriate state and local health officials.

Current guidance only requires reporting of positive results, making it difficult for public health officials to record the number of people tested overall. The new order requires reporting of all positive, negative, and inconclusive results , along with information allowing health officials to locate the person tested. By providing more comprehensive information, health officials will gain a better understanding of the rates of infection and the location of possible infection clusters.

Guidance from Contra Costa Health Services

Drive-Thru Testing for First Responders & Health Care Workers
On March 20, Contra Costa Health Services issued a notice that drive-through COVID-19 testing for health care workers is now available by appointment only. First responders and health care workers who are not able to obtain expedited testing through their usual source of care or occupational health provider may call (925) 570-0978 daily between 8:30 - 3:30 to be screened. If criteria is met, an appointment will be scheduled. All testing will be done in your vehicle. Proof of employment will be required, please bring your agency ID or badge to your appointment.
 
Revised Provider Health Update
On March 24, Contra Costa Communicable Disease Programs released information concerning the COVID-19 Confidential Morbidity Report (CMR):

  1. The COVID-19 CMR should be used to report lab-confirmed cases to Contra Costa Public Health. Please fax the completed COVID-19 CMR form to (925) 313-6465 along with the test result and the H&P or Progress Note.
  2. For providers who have a PUI number and need Contra Costa Public Health Lab COVID-19 testing, please submit the completed COVID-19 CMR along with the PH Lab Requisition Form and specimen to the Public Health Lab. The COVID-19 CMR replaces the CCHS PUI Form when submitting specimens to the PH Lab for testing.

The Sensitive Occupation or Setting information is especially important, as it will identify cases who may be in close contact with vulnerable community members or residents of congregate settings where outbreaks may occur. 

Health care providers should share home isolation instructions with patients once a COVID-19 test is shown to be positive. Patients who are currently awaiting test results should be given home isolation instructions for pending test results .


Additional Contra Costa County resources, posted March 20:

Questions/Concerns?  

Please contact ACCMA and 510-654-5383 or  [email protected]  with any questions or concerns you have. Although we may not currently have an immediate answer to all questions, we want to know the information and resources that you need to continue to provide care for our community during this difficult time.  
 
This information will also be posted online at  www.accma.org/COVID-19 and will be updated frequently. Please check the ACCMA website regularly for updates.