This memo serves as notice that the state board of health (board) is withdrawing the CR-101 to consider amending chapter 246-101 WAC, Notifiable conditions, to establish and clarify requirements for novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), reporting by health care providers, health care facilities, laboratories, and local health jurisdictions consistent with the board's emergency rule, WAC 246-101-017, and P.L. 116-136, § 18115(a), the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was filed July 20, 2021, and published in WSR 21-15-105. This withdrawal is effective December 31, 2022.

In March 2021, the board adopted numerous revisions to chapter 246-101 WAC, Notifiable conditions. Of these revisions, COVID-19 is designated as a notifiable condition and requires timely reporting of cases by regulated entities under the chapter. These revisions go into effect January 1, 2023.

The board is withdrawing this CR-101, as it is no longer needed. The revised notifiable conditions rules that become effective on January 1, 2023, permanently make COVID[-19] a notifiable condition. Health and human services (HHS) still needs certain data components for COVID[-19] to be reported under the CARES Act through the end of the public health emergency. These requirements continue to change. Currently, the data components required by HHS fall under the requirements of provisional reporting in WAC 246-101-015. Therefore, at this time, there is no longer a need to further revise the notifiable conditions rules.

Individuals requiring information on this rule should contact Kaitlyn Campbell, state board of health policy advisor, at kaitlyn.campbell@sboh.wa.gov or 360-584-6737.