COVID-19 Outbreak Investigations and Reporting

CSTE is providing resources to support COVID-19 outbreak investigation and reporting in public health agencies. CSTE has developed outbreak definitions for specific settings and has also compiled selected resources for epidemiologists related to testing strategies in various settings. Please note this list is not comprehensive and these products are not necessarily endorsed by CSTE.

CSTE COVID-19 Outbreak Definitions

The purpose of these documents is to define COVID-19 outbreaks in specific settings and to provide guidance on when and how to document individual cases as outbreak-associated. Considerations for public health reporting are also included.

The information presented in these documents is based on current available scientific resources and expert opinion and is intended only as guidance. CSTE will update this interim guidance as additional information becomes available. These do not necessarily represent best practices in every jurisdiction or situation.

See below for setting-specific outbreak definitions:

CDC COVID-19 Testing Guidance

CDC has developed several resources related to COVID-19 testing in specific settings. For the latest CDC updates, guidance and resources on COVID-19 testing, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/testing-overview.html.

Nursing Homes: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/nursing-homes-testing.html

Critical Infrastructure: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/worker-safety-support/hd-testing.html

Critical Infrastructure Diagram: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/community/Testing-Strat-flow-diagram.pdf

K-12 Education: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-testing.html

Institutions of Higher Education: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/colleges-universities/ihe-testing.html