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COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) reporting requirements

Effective January 14, 2025 (per 6 CCR 1009-1)

Reporting requirements for SARS-CoV-2 test results 

Positive molecular and rapid antigen tests and lineage or sequencing results by laboratories capable of electronic laboratory reporting (ELR) are required to be reported to public health.  

Individual healthcare providers, long term care facilities, K-12 schools, and other non-laboratory reporters no longer need to report individual laboratory results. COVID-19 outbreaks in any setting remain reportable to public health, as described below.  


Laboratories that are designated as sentinel surveillance sites should continue to submit surveillance samples according to sampling plans.

Summary of reporting requirements for laboratory test results: 

Reporting entity

Positive molecular or antigen tests and lineages or sequencing results 

Negative molecular tests

Negative rapid and antigen tests

Antibody tests (IgG, IgM, IgA, t-cell, total antibody)

Laboratories 

Required 

(only if capable of ELR- electronic laboratory reporting)

 Not required 

Not required

Not required

Provider

 Not required

Not required 

Not required

Not required

Clinical research 

Required 

(only if capable of ELR- electronic laboratory reporting)

Not required  

Not required

Not required

K-12 

Not required 

Not required

Not required

Not required

Long-term care facilities 

Not required  

Not required

Not required

Not required

Reporting requirements for COVID-19-associated hospitalization 

Influenza-associated hospitalizations, RSV-associated hospitalizations, and COVID-19-associated hospitalizations are reportable conditions in Colorado. Individual hospital admissions must be reported within four days of detection.

  • An influenza-associated, RSV-associated, or COVID-19-associated hospitalization includes all patients who are hospitalized and had a positive influenza, RSV, or COVID-19 test during their hospitalization or within the 14 days prior to admission. This includes patients who were tested at their primary care provider’s office, an urgent care facility,  a residential or long term care facility, or an emergency room before being hospitalized. It also includes patients admitted to observation for more than 24 hours, or who are inpatient for any length of time plus a positive test 14 days before or any time during their inpatient stay.
  • Exception: Emergency department visits due to influenza, RSV, or COVID-19 are not reportable.
  • CDPHE publishes a list of the data elements that must accompany a case report. Hospitalization reports must also include the name of the facility where the patient was admitted and the admission date.
  • Healthcare facilities can report one of the two following ways:
    • Using the Reportal (for influenza, RSV, and/or COVID-19)
    • Using COPHS (COVID-19 only)

Reporting requirements for COVID-19-associated deaths 

Deaths due to COVID-19 are deaths where COVID-19 is an underlying cause of death or
named as a significant contributing condition on the death certificate. Reporting requirements are primarily fulfilled via death certificate review by CDPHE. However, individual health care providers and coroners must respond to inquiries from public health when clarification or additional information is required as specified in 6 CCR 1009-1 regulations 1, 2, and 5.

Reporting requirements for COVID-19 outbreaks

All communicable disease outbreaks are reportable statewide throughout the year. Outbreaks are instances in which more than one person is ill. Providers should report known or suspected outbreaks in settings such as health care facilities, child care centers, schools, correctional settings, and workplaces immediately (within four hours of detection) to either the local public health agency or to us at 303-692-2700.

For specific guidance about COVID-19 outbreaks:

Long term and residential care facilities should consult the appropriate COVID-19 mitigation and outbreak guidance document for their facility type found on CDPHE’s long-term care webpage for additional details. Facilities may email the local public health agency or cdphe_covid_infection_prevention@state.co.us for assistance.   

Schools and childcare facilities should consult Guidance for prevention and control of viral respiratory illness in school and child care settings and Infectious diseases in child care and school settings.

Correctional settings should consult COVID-19 outbreak guidance and resources for correctional facilities.

For any disease reporting questions, contact the Integrated Disease Reporting Program at CDPHE_IDRP@state.co.us or visit the report a disease webpage