Updated Testing Guidance

Ohio increased its access to testing reagent and swabs due to its newly formed partnership with Thermo Fisher and ROE Dental Scientific. Now, the Ohio Department of Health has issued updated COVID-19 testing guidance which defines the Priority 1, 2 and 3 testing groups. Please see the resources below:

• Testing Procedures
• Microbiology Specimen Submission Form

Certification of COVID-19 Deaths 

The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has created a short, guidance video for providers filling out death certificates related to COVID-19. Additional information can be found on the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Death Data and Reporting Guidance page.

Click play to watch


Coding Rule Changes 
NCHS has also changed its coding rules and will be coding "COVID" as U07.1 (COVID-19). All deaths previously coded as B34.2 will be reviewed and recoded by NCHS as needed. Click here to read more information.

Water Supply Flushing When Returning to Buildings 
The Ohio Department of Health and Ohio Environmental Protection Agency have issued guidelines for water service restoration and flushing upon return to buildings which have not been in use. Please see the resources listed below:

• Recommendations for Water Supply Flushing for Reopening of Buildings Under Statewide COVID-19 Transition Plan
• Guidance for Premise Plumbing Water Service Restoration 

Non-Essential Surgeries and Procedures

The following resources are available from the Ohio Department of Health to assist providers as they resume non-essential surgeries and procedures.

Health Director's Stay Safe Ohio Order - Page 3: Medical Care

Responsible RestartOhio Guide for Health Care

Health Care RestartOhio Webinar Slides - Page 26: Restarting All Medically Necessary Procedures That Do Not Require an Overnight Stay or an Inpatient Hospital Admission

• Beginning May 1, all medically necessary procedures that do not require an overnight stay in a health care facility or do not require inpatient hospital admission and minimize use of personal protective equipment may move forward.
• This includes regular doctor visits, well-care checks, well-baby visits, out-patient surgeries, imaging procedures, and diagnostic tests. Dental services and veterinary services may also proceed if a safe environment can be established.
• This care will be provided at ambulatory surgery centers, outpatient departments of hospitals, clinics, and the offices of many other health professionals, including but not limited to dentists and orthodontists, optometrists, and chiropractors.