Criterion for COVID-19 Testing at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Laboratories (MDHHS BOL)
DIRECTORY OF MICHIGAN HEALTH DEPARTMENTS
This message provides guidance about testing of specimens for SARS-CoV-2 in Michigan, including public health coordination of specimen testing in both state and commercial laboratories.
The MDHHS Bureau of Laboratories (BOL) is continuing with testing of specimens for suspected COVID-19. Now that more commercial and clinical laboratories are coming online with testing, the best use of this valuable resource at the MDHHS BOL is in the testing of specimens of greatest public health significance. The MDHSS BOL will test specimens for patients that are associated with active investigations of known case contacts, individuals with concerning exposure histories and risk profiles, and specimens obtained during illness cluster investigations. These groups represent individuals for whom public health intervention is critical. The rapid integration of investigative information with laboratory results allows for the most effective public health action toward mitigating transmission.
MDHHS BOL Testing Categories include specimens from:
- Individuals presenting with signs/symptoms of COVID-19 infection who are identified as a known contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19 Infection and are not members of the same household or congregate living situation as the confirmed case (unless as part of a public health investigation).
- Individuals who become symptomatic while being in a 14-day monitoring and quarantine period (such as, but not limited to, monitoring due to travel from a region with widespread transmission).
- Symptomatic individuals who are part of a public health investigation of a cluster of illness associated with a vulnerable population (e.g., long term care facility).
- Symptomatic individuals who may be more likely to infect many of people or a vulnerable population (e.g., healthcare providers and those living in congregate settings like dorms, camps, long term care facilities).
- Individuals presenting with severe illness requiring hospitalization or causing mortality and having no other identified etiology.
When, in coordination with public health, these individuals are identified, the NP specimens will be directed to the MDHHS BOL for testing with appropriate identification as a person under investigation (PUI). Nasopharyngeal swabs must be collected by a health care provider. Local health departments do not currently have the capacity to collect samples from patients.
Clinicians are reminded that there is a rapidly increasing list of approved commercial and clinical laboratories to which other testing can be directed. For public health to be aware of individuals under investigation and respond to possible cases, health care providers are asked to do the following in this situation:
- Continue to fill out the Patient Under Investigation (PUI) form for each patient you are considering for testing for COVID-19. Please fax the completed PUUI form to your local health department (see attached list).
- If you receive a positive laboratory test for a patient at your facility, contact your local health department to inform state and local public health agencies.
Mandated Reporting of Deaths Associated with COVID-19 Infection
Effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020, the reportable conditions list for the State of Michigan has been expanded to include mandated reporting of Deaths Associated with Novel Coronavirus Infection (COVID-19, SARS, MERS). Physicians are required to report patients with deaths for which COVID-19 infection is a contributing factor. This mandated reporting to public health must occur within 24 hours of identification.
Michigan’s communicable disease rules are promulgated under the authority conferred on the Department of Community Health by section 5111 of Act No. 368 of the Public Acts of 1978, as amended, being 333.5111 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.
Limiting the impact of COVID-19 on the health and well being of Michiganders requires collaboration and response in all sectors. We appreciate your support of these efforts. For the latest information on Michigan’s response to COVID-19, please visit www.michigan.gov/coronavirus. You may also email our Community Health Emergency Coordination Center at checcdeptcoor@michigan.gov.