COVID-19 Testing, IBL after hours, Expired PPE cache — update 4/24/2020

Eastern Idaho Public Health would like to remind everyone that only FDA EUA approved tests will count as a laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19.  As such, all of these FDA approved positive test results must be reported to the health dept.  At this time, other non-FDA approved rapid tests do exist, but should not take the place of PCR testing. 

Please review the following testing information:
• FDA Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Emergency Use Authorization Information: https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/mcm-legal-regulatory-and-policy-framework/emergency-use-authorization#2019-ncov
o High Complexity Molecular-Based Laboratory Developed Tests: https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/mcm-legal-regulatory-and-policy-framework/emergency-use-authorization#LDTs
Patients with a result from a non-approved test should be followed up with a PCR test if they meet the criteria:
IBL High Priority Specimen
• Hospitalized patients
• Symptomatic healthcare workers
• Symptomatic patients in long-term care facilities
• Symptomatic staff or inmate in correctional facility in the absence of an identified COVID-19 outbreak in the facility
• Severe respiratory illness of no known cause
IBL Routine Priority Specimen
• Symptomatic patients = 65 years of age
• Symptomatic patients who are at high risk of severe disease because of underlying medical conditions
Asymptomatic persons should not be tested.
See https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/hcp/clinical-criteria.html.
Please remind patients that they should self-isolate if they have any symptoms.

1. Idaho Bureau of Laboratories (IBL) After-Hours Sample Delivery
a. 2220 Old Penitentiary Road, Boise, ID 834712
Main Laboratory Phone: (208) 334-2235
b. For after-hours sample delivery, please deliver samples to the small building behind the main laboratory building, facing the IBL loading dock. 
c. For assistance with after-hours delivery, contact:
Christopher Ball, (208) 830-9742 or
StateComm, (800) 632-8000

2.  EIPH Inventory of PPE Stockpiles
a. Expired N95 Respirators – Medium/Large Size
b. Expired N95 Respirators – Small Size
c. Considerations for Release of Stockpiled N95s Beyond the Manufacturer-Designated Shelf Life - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/release-stockpiled-N95.html
d.  The respirators exceeding their manufacturer-designated shelf life are only being released due to the potential urgent demand caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency. In the face of this emergency, the U.S. Government believes that the respirators beyond their manufacturer-designated shelf life should provide greater respiratory protection than surgical masks (i.e., medical masks) alone, improvised mouth and nose covers (e.g., bandanas), or no protection at all.

Any questions regarding PPE, contact:
• Troy Nelson
 tnelson@eiph.Idaho.gov
 (208) 533-3146
• Holly Peterson 
 hpeterson@eiph.Idaho.gov 
 (208) 533-3145