COVID-19 Outbreak Reporting

Overview

• Health facilities licensed by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Licensing & Certification are required to report outbreaks and unusual infectious disease. 
  • See the CDPH All Facilities Letter for more information. 
• A previous statewide requirement for non-healthcare employers to notify local health departments of COVID-19 workplace outbreaks is no longer in effect.
  • The County of San Diego does not require reporting to Public Health Services (PHS) at this time.
  • Employers should follow the record keeping and reporting required by Cal/OSHA, which includes providing such records to PHS upon request.

Steps to Report a COVID-19 Outbreak 

1. Send an email to the appropriate email address listed below.
   • Daycare/Nursery: PHS.EPI-Schools.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov
   • Healthcare: PHS.OutbreakReporting.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov
   • Residential Congregate Facility: PHS.OutbreakReporting.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov
   • School: PHS.EPI-Schools.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov
   • COVID-19 Complaint (All Settings): PHS.EPICompliance.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov
2. Include the following information in the email.
   • Email Subject Line (select one of the following):
     • Reporting outbreak
     • Requesting consultation on infection control measures
     • COVID-19 Complaint/Enforcement question
   • Reportable Disease: COVID-19
   • Facility Business Name and Department (if applicable)
   • Facility Address
   • Point of Contact
   • Point of Contact Phone Number
   • Point of Contact Email Address
   • Number of Employees/Staff Who Reported Testing Positive
   • Number of Residents/Students/Attendees Who Reported Testing Positive
   • Brief Explanation of Circumstances or Reason for this Request

Contact the Epidemiology Unit at (619) 692-8499, or send us an e-mail, for more information.

Page last updated 6/26/2024.

• The COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Regulations require all employers to report major COVID-19 outbreaks to their nearest Cal/OSHA office.
  • A major COVID-19 outbreak is 20+ COVID-19 cases.
  • These regulations are in effect until February 3, 2025.
  • Visit Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Guidance and Resources for more information.
• Health facilities licensed by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Licensing & Certification are required to report outbreaks and unusual infectious disease. 
  • See the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) All Facilities Letter for more information. 
• Non-healthcare congregate facilities and schools should report outbreaks and unusual infectious disease.
  • See CDPH Outbreak Definition and Reporting Guidance for more information.