Connecticut State Department of Public Health

COVID-19 Community Levels Update, March 24, 2023: The CDC has listed all eight Connecticut counties in the Low/Green category as part of its weekly Community Levels update. People who are at a high risk for severe illness should consider additional measures to minimize their exposure to COVID-19 and respiratory illnesses. Visit the CDC COVID-19 Community Levels Map for updates.


Please visit covidtests.gov to request four free COVID-19 self-test kits from the Federal Government. Find a location that has a supply of COVID-19 therapeutics as part of the Test to Treat initiative here. The complete DPH COVID-19 toolbox is located at ct.gov/coronavirus.

Laboratory Reporting


  
The Laboratory Report of Significant Findings Form OL-15C is the primary form used to report diseases on the current list of laboratory reportable findings when electronic laboratory reporting (ELR) has not yet been established.  
 
The DPH continues to transition to ELR. Laboratory reports in electronic format require special arrangements to assure accurate transfer of information and protect patient confidentiality. For additional information about ELR, please visit the Electronic Laboratory Reporting page. 
 
All requested information must be supplied by the director of the primary laboratory. The Infectious Diseases Informatics Program will assist laboratories with ELR. When it's necessary to use a form, the most current fillable forms are available on the DPH "Forms" page. Paper copies can be ordered by contacting the Epidemiology and Emerging Infections Program at 860-509-7994.
 
The minimum required information to be reported is outlined below. All diseases on the current list of laboratory reportable findings must be reported as specified in the January 2023 issue of the Connecticut Epidemiologist newsletter.

Each Report Must Include

  • Full name, address, date of birth, age, sex, race, ethnicity, and occupation of person affected
  • Infectious agent or other reportable laboratory findings
  • Date of collection
  • Method of identification
  • Full name, address, and telephone number of the provider
  • Full name, address, and telephone number of the person reporting and date of report
Distribution of Completed Report Forms
  • Completed OL-15C forms should be mailed or faxed to the DPH at 860-920-3131
  • One copy must be sent to the Director of Health of the patient's town of residence
  • One copy must be kept for the patient's medical record

Laboratory results may also be called into the DPH weekdays during business hours at 860-509-7994; after hours, weekends and holidays at 860-509-8000.  

 
 
Tuberculosis Related Laboratory Forms
Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae Reporting

Confirmation

When a laboratory identifies or presumptively identifies a significant isolate or other finding that requires confirmation by the State Public Health Laboratory as required in the annual list, the director of the primary laboratory must submit the isolate or specimen from which the finding was made to:  

Dr. Katherine A. Kelley State Public Health Laboratory
Connecticut Department of Public Health
395 West Street
Rocky Hill, CT 06067-3503
 
Main Phone Number: 860-920-6500 

Reporting Laws

Annual List
(Connecticut General Statute - Section 19a-36-A2)

An annual list of the laboratory reportable significant findings will be prepared and distributed to directors of clinical laboratories licensed, registered, or approved by the Department of Public Health. Please refer to the current list when reporting findings since the list will be reviewed annually and revised when necessary.

Persons Required to Report Laboratory Reportable Significant Findings
(Public Health Code - Section 19a-36-A4)

The director of a laboratory that receives a primary specimen or sample, which yields a reportable laboratory finding, shall be responsible for reporting such findings within 48 hours to the local director of health of the town in which the affected person normally resides. In the absence of such information, the reports should go to the town from which the specimen originated and to the Department of Public Health. 

This page last updated 02/09/2023.