Please Note: Be Cautious of Fake Information - A malicious website pretending to be the live map for Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases by Johns Hopkins University is circulating on the internet waiting for unwitting internet users to visit the website (corona-virus-map.com). Visiting the website infects the user with the AZORult trojan, an information stealing program which can exfiltrate a variety of sensitive data. It is likely being spread via infected email attachments, malicious online advertisements, and social engineering. Furthermore, anyone searching the internet for a Coronavirus map could unwittingly navigate to this malicious website.
Revised Reporting Requirements for COVID-19 Cases
Both COVID-19 laboratory Confirmed Cases and clinical Probable Cases are now reportable as Category A Diseases.
New cases require reporting within 24 hours of diagnosis to local Public Health Departments (call 937-225-4508 in Dayton & Montgomery County)
Criteria for Confirmed and Probable cases are available in the linked document below.
pdf COVID 19 Public Health Required Reporting (114 KB)

COVID-19 Resources For Healthcare Providers
As you care for others, don’t neglect your self-care.
The Ohio Physicians Health Program (OPHP) is offering free drop-in COVID-19 Physician Peer Support Sessions via Zoom.
Learn more at Ohio Physicians Health Program Resources

Re-Opening Health Care in Ohio

Priority 1 |
Ohioans with symptoms who are:
|
---|---|
Priority 2 |
Ohioans with symptoms who are:
Ohioans without symptoms who are:
Other Ohioans who are:
|
Priority 3 |
Ohioans with and without symptoms who are:
|
Priority 4 | Individuals in the community to decrease community spread, including individuals with symptoms who do not meet any of the above categories. |
Priority 5 | Asymptomatic individuals not mentioned above. |
pdf COVID-19 Testing in Ohio (301 KB)
ODH has issued revised guidance for personal protective strategies, use, and reuse. Details are in the three documents linked below.
Among the new recommendations:
- All staff in long-term care facilities should wear a surgical/medical facemask while working to avoid asymptomatic transmission of COVID-19 to residents and other staff. This includes facilities not known to be affected by COVID-19.
- In settings where facemasks are not available, healthcare personnel (HCP) might use homemade masks (e.g., bandana, scarf) as a last resort. However, homemade masks are not considered PPE. Caution should be exercised when considering this option.
pdf PPE Use and Reuse (375 KB)
pdf PPE Strategies (361 KB)
When can my patients resume work or other activities after COVID-19 disease?
Changes as of July 17, 2020
- Except for rare situations, a test-based strategy is no longer recommended to determine when to allow HCP to return to work.
- For HCP with severe to critical illness or who are severely immunocompromised, the recommended duration for work exclusion was extended to 20 days after symptom onset (or, for asymptomatic severely immunocompromised HCP, 20 days after their initial positive SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic test).
- Other symptom-based criteria were modified as follows:
- Changed from “at least 72 hours” to “at least 24 hours” have passed since last fever without the use of fever-reducing medications
- Changed from “improvement in respiratory symptoms” to “improvement in symptoms” to address expanding list of symptoms associated with COVID-19
- A summary of current evidence and rationale for these changes is described in a Decision Memo.
HCP with mild to moderate illness who are not severely immunocompromised:
- At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared and
- At least 24 hours have passed since last fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and
- Symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath) have improved
Note: HCP who are not severely immunocompromised and were asymptomatic throughout their infection may return to work when at least 10 days have passed since the date of their first positive viral diagnostic test.
HCP with severe to critical illness or who are severely immunocompromised
-
- At least 20 days have passed since symptoms first appeared
- At least 24 hours have passed since last fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and
- Symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath) have improved
Note: HCP who are severely immunocompromised but who were asymptomatic throughout their infection may return to work when at least 20 days have passed since the date of their first positive viral diagnostic test.
As described in the Decision Memo, an estimated 95% of severely or critically ill patients, including some with severe immunocompromise, no longer had replication-competent virus 15 days after onset of symptoms; no patient had replication-competent virus more than 20 days after onset of symptoms. Because of their often extensive and close contact with vulnerable individuals in healthcare settings, the more conservative period of 20 days was applied in this guidance. However, because the majority of severely or critically ill patients no longer appear to be infectious 10 to 15 days after onset of symptoms, facilities operating under critical staffing shortages might choose to allow HCP to return to work after 10 to 15 days, instead of 20 days.
Test-Based Strategy for Determining when HCP Can Return to Work.
In some instances, a test-based strategy could be considered to allow HCP to return to work earlier than if the symptom-based strategy were used. However, as described in the Decision Memo, many individuals will have prolonged viral shedding, limiting the utility of this approach. A test-based strategy could also be considered for some HCP (e.g., those who are severely immunocompromised1) in consultation with local infectious diseases experts if concerns exist for the HCP being infectious for more than 20 days.
The criteria for the test-based strategy are:
HCP who are symptomatic:
- Resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and
- Improvement in symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath), and
- Results are negative from at least two consecutive respiratory specimens collected ≥24 hours apart (total of two negative specimens) tested using an FDA-authorized molecular viral assay to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA. See Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens for 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
HCP who are not symptomatic:
- Results are negative from at least two consecutive respiratory specimens collected ≥24 hours apart (total of two negative specimens) tested using an FDA-authorized molecular viral assay to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA. See Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens for 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
After returning to work, HCP should:
- Wear a facemask for source control at all times while in the healthcare facility until all symptoms are completely resolved or at baseline. A facemask instead of a cloth face covering should be used by these HCP for source control during this time period while in the facility. After this time period, these HCP should revert to their facility policy regarding universal source control during the pandemic.
- A facemask for source control does not replace the need to wear an N95 or equivalent or higher-level respirator (or other recommended PPE) when indicated, including when caring for patients with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- Self-monitor for symptoms, and seek re-evaluation from occupational health if symptoms recur or worsen
Myth Buster: The young do not get COVID-19
Figure 2 below is from an Early Release article from Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report (18 March 2020). It clearly illustrates that young adults contract severe disease requiring hospitalization in numbers roughly equal to other age groups. Young people do have lower mortality numbers. The notion that young people are somehow “immune” or unaffected by COVID-19 disease is untrue. The full article is available below.
FIGURE 2. COVID-19 hospitalizations,* intensive care unit (ICU) admissions,† and deaths,§ by age group — United States, February 12– March 16, 2020

† ICU status missing or unknown for 2,253 cases.
§ Illness outcome or death missing or unknown for 2,001 cases.
Ethics in the Time of Coronavirus
Large-scale catastrophes and emergencies can overwhelm health care systems leading to scarce resources and insufficient availability of curative and life-saving treatment. Physicians may need to conduct triage and make unilateral decisions regarding who receives treatment, who is denied treatment, and from whom treatment might be withdrawn when the demand for services exceeds the supply.
Ethical principles shift from autonomy and beneficence to utility, fairness, and stewardship.
Guidance developed jointly by physicians and government organizations on the just and ethical allocation and delivery of health care during catastrophes and emergencies is available (see the linked discussion and references).
pdf Ethics in the Time of Coronavirus (191 KB)
Talking Points about novel Coronavirus
Novel Coronavirus (named SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19 disease.
COVID-19 disease is a respiratory infection.
- Common symptoms include: Cough. Shortness of breath. Muscle aches.
- Cases can range from mild to severe.
- The vast majority of people (more than 80%) have mild disease and recover with symptomatic care.
Novel coronavirus is more infectious that influenza.
Novel coronavirus is more likely than influenza to cause severe disease, especially in people over 60 years old and those who have chronic medical conditions (heart and lung disease, diabetes, and immunosuppression, among others).
Novel Coronavirus is new, but it is not entirely different than other illnesses.
- The same approach we use with any viral respiratory illness will work with Coronavirus.
People who are mildly ill, should stay home and take care of themselves until recovered.
- Try not to pass the infection to anyone else in the household, regardless of whether it might be influenza, a common cold, or Coronavirus.
- Try to keep six feet between the ill person and other people in the household.
- Having a bathroom just for the ill person is recommended if possible.
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
- Do not use the same personal items, such as drinking glasses and utensils, as the ill person.
- Clean and sanitize “touch points” such as light switches and doorknobs frequently.
- Smother coughs with a tissue or elbow.
If patients are asked to come into the office, telling them what to expect may be helpful to them.
- Tests may be done for influenza or for whatever your office routinely tests.
- Many (or most) people will not meet criteria for COVID-19 testing.
- Be prepared to send people home to self-isolate as described above.
pdf Talking Points about novel Coronavirus (179 KB)

State Medical Board of Ohio
https://med.ohio.gov/COVID-19The State Medical Board maintains a list of the Medical Board Updates for Licensees. The site lists orders and statements from the Medical Board as well as Orders and Health Alerts from the Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Board of Pharmacy.
- 3/22/20 - Stay at home order (including information on essential businesses & health care)
-
3/20/20 - Updated COVID-19 testing guidance and ODH Lab testing procedures
- State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy Guidance & Waivers
- 3/20/20 - Director of Health order for Massage Therapists
- 3/18/20 - Telemedicine, continuing education & CE changes
- 3/17/20 - Elective surgeries
- 3/17/20 - PPE and testing locations
- 3/15/20 - Guidance for primary care and outpatient providers
- 3/14/20 - Updated guidance for resource management; updated director's journal entry
- 3/13/20 - Conservation of PPE guidance from ODH and OHA
- 3/13/20 - Guidance for Outpatient Providers
- 3/11/20 - Statement on COVID-19 for Medical Board licensees
- 3/11/20 - Practicing telemedicine in Ohio guidance
- 3/11/20 - Telemedicine FAQs and telemedicine rules
- 3/11/20 - Printable packet regarding the Medical Board's telemedicine regulations (PDF)
- 3/9/20 - CDC updated Evaluating and Reporting Persons Under Investigation (PUI) for COVID-19
- 3/5/20 - CDC updated Interim US Guidance for Risk Assessment and Public Health Management of Persons with Potential COVID-19 Exposures: Geographic Risk and Contacts of Laboratory-confirmed Cases
- 3/4/20 - CDC updated Interim US Guidance for Risk Assessment and Public Health Management of Healthcare Personnel with Potential Exposure in a Healthcare Setting to Patients with COVID-19
- 2/28/20 - Coronavirus update from the Ohio Department of Health
- 1/29/20 - Health care providers reporting requirement notice

Ohio State Medical Association
https://www.osma.org/aws/OSMA/pt/sp/home-pageThe Ohio State Medical Association (OSMA) is the first and largest physician-led organization in Ohio. We proactively and persistently advocate for effective healthcare policy outcomes, provide professional development opportunities for physicians, and promote useful resources that advance patient care and the medical profession. Established in 1846, the OSMA is the leading voice of physicians, residents and medical students in Ohio.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
https://www.samhsa.gov/coronavirusCOVID-19 Public Health Emergency Response and 42 CFR Part 2 Guidance (PDF | 168 KB)
TAP 34: Disaster Planning Handbook for Behavioral Health Treatment Programs
NEW: Considerations for Outpatient Mental and Substance Use Disorder Treatment Settings (PDF | 104 KB)
NEW: Covid19: Interim Considerations for State Psychiatric Hospitals (PDF | 132 KB)
NEW: Virtual Recovery Resources (PDF | 369 KB)
Guidance for OTPs
Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) Guidance (March 16, 2020) (PDF | 216 KB)
OTP Guidance for Patients Quarantined at Home with the Coronavirus (PDF | 154 KB)
Sample OTP COVID-19 FAQs (PDF | 341 KB)
Use of Telemedicine While Providing Medication-Assisted Treatment (PDF | 146 KB)
Additional Federal Guidance
The Notification of Enforcement Discretion on Telehealth Remote Communications
DEA Information on Telemedicine (PDF | 75 KB)
DEA Diversion Control Division COVID-19 Information
Stay up to Date

The Joint Commission
COVID-19The Joint Commission is working to distill and post up-to-date resources to support health care professionals and organizations during the pandemic. The Joint Commission is trying to provide only the information that best meets the needs of health care workers and leaders.
Please Note: Be Cautious of Fake Information
A malicious website pretending to be the live map for Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases by Johns Hopkins University is circulating on the internet waiting for unwitting internet users to visit the website (corona-virus-map.com). Visiting the website infects the user with the AZORult trojan, an information stealing program which can exfiltrate a variety of sensitive data. It is likely being spread via infected email attachments, malicious online advertisements, and social engineering. Furthermore, anyone searching the internet for a Coronavirus map could unwittingly navigate to this malicious website.
- Documents
- Resources
- pdf Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) - Updated Guidance for Testing and Resource Management (194 KB)
- pdf Public Health Laboratory Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) - Testing Procedure (85 KB)
- pdf Pandemic Influenza Ethics Guidance (2.35 MB)
- pdf Return to Work Criteria for Healthcare Workers (312 KB)
- pdf Severe COVID 19 Disease by Age (153 KB)
- pdf Ventilator Allocation Guidelines (2.22 MB)
- pdf Guidance for Establishing Crisis Standards of Care for Use in Disaster Situations (4.05 MB)
- pdf Hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin as a treatment of COVID-19 (312 KB)
- For the latest Ohio information on COVID-19 coronavirus.ohio.gov
- The American Association of Nurse Practitioners
- Ohio Association of Advanced Practices Nurses
- Ohio Board of Nursing
- Get the Latest on Telehealth Developments
- CMS Elective Surgeries and Non-Essential Procedures Recommendations
- ABIM Board of Directors COVID-19-related Decision
- COVID-19 Diagnosis and Treatment (JAMA)
- OSHA's guidance for healthcare workers
- OSHA's COVID-19 website
- Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
- CDC's infection prevention and and control guidelines for healthcare workers
- State of Ohio's COVID-19 website
- Ohio Department of Health's COVID-19 call center
open 7 days a week from 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634) - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's information for health care professionals
- World Health Organization's COVID-19 info
- DEAs COVID-19 information page
- Resources for children and pregnant women