Service Provider Message COVID-19 SIR Reporting
The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) has issued a new Directive regarding the reporting of special incidences related to COVID-19. This Directive supersedes any previous training or correspondence provided by ACRC. On March 10, 2022, the Department of Developmental Services released Tracking COVID-19 incidence. The directive calls for regional centers and all providers to complete a Special Incident Report (SIR) for any of the following events, even if the incident does not otherwise meet California Code of Regulations, Title 17 reporting:
- An individual tests positive for COVID-19;
- An individual’s death attributed to COVID-19, either by confirmed COVID-19 positive testing or by medical diagnosis.
Service providers and regional centers should only report COVID-19 related incidents that meet the amended requirements above, and clearly indicate in each SIR a description of which reporting requirement applies. For clarity:
- A “new case” means the first time someone becomes ill from COVID-19, or a subsequent illness after recovery from a prior COVID-19 illness. Please do not report every positive test result for the same instance of illness. For example, do not report every positive test result as someone tries to achieve a negative test to exit quarantine.
- Please note, this change therefore shifts from reporting the number of individuals who have been sick, to the number of COVID-19 cases that occur. Reporting is intended to capture illness trends and where they occur. This change will capture multiple cases for one individual (e.g., someone who got both delta and omicron several months apart).
- “An individual’s death is attributed to COVID-19” means a death described in the SIR as attributed to COVID-19.
If you have questions please email the SIR Desk at sdesk@altaregional.org.