• Most commercial laboratories have a 2-3 day testing turnaround time currently. Providers should use their clinical judgment in conjunction with the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH’s) updated COVID-19 testing guidance to prioritize testing.
When possible, consider contracting with alternative laboratories than may have shorter turn-around times than the large commercial chains.

•  MCHD attempts to contact all individuals diagnosed by PCR with COVID-19 by virtual electronic survey to obtain surveillance information. Certain high risk groups are contacted by phone to provide education, elicit close contacts, and reinforce isolation directions. It may take several days for MCHD to make contact with individuals due to reporting delays, client response, and incomplete contact information.
• Individuals diagnosed by CLIA-waived antigen test are considered “probable” cases by the CDC. Probable cases are contacted by MCHD based on the same criteria as confirmed cases.
• Providers can assist the case investigation and contact tracing process by instructing patients to stay home while their tests are pending, self-isolate for at least 5 days following a positive test result, and inform their close contacts to wear a face covering for 10 days from their last exposure to an infectious person.
• All providers may give patients work notes while their tests are pending or when they receive positive test results excluding them from work consistent with current CDPH guidance.

Distribution of supplies related to the COVID-19 pandemic has ended. If your organization has an immediate need for supplies and has exhausted the normal supply chain sources, please contact the County of Monterey Medical Health Operational Area Coordinator (MHOAC) at MHOAC@co.monterey.ca.us or (831) 755-4713. Thank you.

• Medical providers are required to report all confirmed, probable, and suspected hospitalized and fatal cases of COVID-19 to MCHD within 1 day using the CDPH Confidential Morbidity Report (CMR) form specific to COVID-19. Reports may be submitted electronically via CalREDIE, phone, or by fax:
  • Phone (831-755-4521), or
  • Fax (831-775-8076).
  • After hours urgent issues: 831-755-5100 and ask for the Hazardous Materials Team, who will connect you with the on-call Health Officer
• Medical facilities, pharmacies, and laboratories conducting CILIA-certified (non-waived) laboratory testing are also required to report all positive and negative PCR/NAAT results for tests performed. Laboratories and medical providers performing CLIA-waived antigen tests are required to report all positive antigen test results. Lab reports may be submitted:
  • Electronically through the CalREDIE Manual Lab Reporting (MLR) portal, or
  • By fax (831-775-8076) within 1 day of result date.

For more information about testing, diagnosing, and reporting COVID-19, please contact the Monterey County Health Department's Communicable Disease Unit at 831-755-4521 during business hours and 831-755-5100 after normal business hours (urgent issues only after-hours).