CDC has reversed its own guidance on people without symptoms but who were exposed to an infected individual, clarifying that they "need a test."
According to the new guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “close contact” happens when one is within 6 feet of an infected individual for at least 15 minutes.
“Please consult with your healthcare provider or public health official. Testing is recommended for all close contacts of persons with SARS-CoV-2 infection,” the new guidance said.
“Because of the potential for asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic transmission, it is important that contacts of individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection be quickly identified and tested," it said.
Several studies suggest that people can carry and transmit the virus without manifesting symptoms. This could happen in the presymptomatic stage and in situations where they never show symptoms.
Reducing transmission
Meanwhile, public health specialists and officials at the World Health Organization have stressed the importance of testing people who do not manifest symptoms in order to reduce virus transmission.
Most of the specialists slammed the CDC’s revision of its testing guidance in August for allegedly downplaying the importance of testing people who do not appear to have symptoms but who could be spreading the virus.
The CDC described this change in guidance as a “clarification” and emphasized the “the need to test asymptomatic persons.”
Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the CDC, said in a statement: “testing may be considered for all close contacts of confirmed or probable COVID-19 patients,” but he stopped short of recommending it for those without symptoms.
“Everyone who needs a COVID-19 test can get a test. Everyone who wants a test does not necessarily need a test; the key is to engage the needed public health community in the decision with the appropriate follow-up action,” Redfield clarified in the same statement last month, with italics for emphasis.
Addressing lawmakers this week, Redfield stressed that his clarification “didn’t solve the problem” and pointed out that the agency was working on guidance updates and releasing a clearer statement. He added the guidance was “misinterpreted” and that “we were not trying to limit” testing.
“More tests actually can lead to less cases if testing is linked to public health action,” Redfield told the Senate Appropriations subcommittee during a hearing.
According to the new guidance, people waiting for test results must “self-quarantine/isolate at home and stay separated from household members to the extent possible and use a separate bedroom and bathroom, if available.”
Based on the updated guidance, people who do not manifest symptoms and who have not been present in a situation with an infected person “do not need a test unless recommended or required by your healthcare provider or public health official.” The previous guidance stated that such people do not need to undergo testing.
The CDC's updated guidance comes amid issues surrounding the alleged influence of the White House on top health agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration and CDC.
Meanwhile, the old CDC guidance, which was condemned by health authorities, including the former Director of the CDC Dr. Tom Frieden, was published on the agency’s website in August despite concerns from scientists within the CDC, according to a report from The New York Times.
“That was a doc that came from the top-down, from the HHS and the task force,” a federal official familiar with the matter told the Times. “That policy does not reflect what many people at the CDC feel should be the policy.”
