The Charleston Health Department has released new guidelines for 2025 that focus on disease reporting, laboratory result submission, and enhanced monitoring of specific conditions. Hospitals must now report aggregate weekly COVID-19 and Influenza hospitalization data through the National Healthcare Safety Network in accordance with CMS requirements. Positive results for certain diseases—including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, blood lead levels, and congenital syphilis—must be accompanied by additional details such as relevant lab values, pregnancy test status, specimen site, and results from related tests. Elevated blood lead results (3.5 mcg/dL or greater) must be reported within seven days, and all blood lead results within thirty days. The guidelines also emphasize prompt reporting and specimen retention for cases of Gram-negative diplococci, invasive diseases, and suspected outbreaks or novel infectious threats. All positive and negative hepatitis B and C results must be reported when using Electronic Laboratory Reporting (ELR) systems.
Hospitals and healthcare facilities are instructed to strictly adhere to these enhanced reporting standards to enable faster responses to outbreaks, monitor chronic health threats, and support public health initiatives. Special attention is being given to invasive and emerging infectious diseases, clusters of illness, and chemical, biological, or radiological threats, demonstrating a heightened readiness framework in Charleston for 2025.
SOURCES
[1](https://dph.sc.gov/sites/scdph/files/Library/00164-ENG-CR_2025.pdf)
[2](https://www.maynardnexsen.com/publication-key-health-care-issues-to-track-in-2025-in-the-carolinas)
[3](https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/3613.htm)
[4](https://kchd.wv.gov)
[5](https://www.camc.org/sites/default/files/communitybenefit/2023-2025%20Community%20Health%20Needs%20Assessment%20and%202023-2025%20Implementation%20Strategy.pdf)
