LAC DPH Health Advisory: Notification of Close Contacts; Importance of COVID-19 Death and Case Reporting April 8, 2020 Coronavirus, COVID-19, Health Alert, LA County, LA Public Health 1257 Key Messages • It is critical for outbreak control that the close contacts of a COVID-19 infected patient be promptly informed of their exposure. When a healthcare provider diagnoses COVID-19 in an inpatient, a skilled nursing facility resident, or in a patient who has died, they must inform the patient’s close contacts about the need to self-quarantine and/or isolate (see Close Contact Notifications below). • Healthcare providers must report all fatalities related to COVID-19, including out of hospital deaths of presumed cases. Please use the revised LAC DPH COVID-19 death report and case report forms (see Reporting COVID-19 in LA County Residents below). Updates • If COVID-19 played a role in a patient’s death, it is important that the physician report it accurately on the death certificate. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recently released detailed instructions, Guidance for Certifying Deaths Due to Coronavirus Disease 2019. • Isolation and quarantine housing is available for patients experiencing homelessness who have or who were exposed to COVID-19 who can perform activities of daily living (ADLs) independently. The Quarantine and Isolation Intake Call Center is open 7 days a week from 8 AM to 8 PM: 833-596-1009. • LAC DPH now recommends cloth facing coverings for the general public as universal source control when they must be in contact with non-household members, see LAC DPH Guidance for Cloth Face Coverings. Read the full health alert here