CDC advises no longer testing those who have had contact with COVID-19 patients

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has changed their guidelines for testing for COVID-19. The agency no longer recommends testing for people without symptoms, even if they have been in close contact with someone who has the virus. Writes about it CNN.

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The CDC previously stated that testing for viruses is necessary for people with recent or suspected exposure, even if they did not have symptoms.

Here is what was previously stated on the CDC website: “Testing is recommended for all individuals in close contact with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Because of the potential for asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic transmission, it is important that contacts of people with infection can be quickly identified. ”

The CDC changed its guidelines on Monday, August 24. Here's what it says now: “If you have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 for at least 15 minutes and have no symptoms, you do not need to get tested unless you are a vulnerable person, or your health care provider, or state or local health authorities do not recommend you get it. "

The updated guidelines state that those who do not have symptoms of COVID-19 and who have not been in close contact with someone who is sick do not need to be tested.

“Not everyone needs to be tested,” the department’s website says. “If you do get tested, you should self-quarantine until you receive your test results and follow the advice of your public health professional.”

The CDC guidelines continue to say that people should get tested if they have symptoms of COVID-19.

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“It is important to understand that you can become infected and spread the virus and still feel well and not have any symptoms,” the CDC says on its website, although local health authorities may require testing of asymptomatic “healthy people” depending on the number of coronavirus cases in the country. region.

In its pandemic planning scenarios, the CDC states that its current best estimate is that 40% of infections are asymptomatic and 50% of transmission occurs before symptoms appear.

The CDC did not explain this change, and many doctors were puzzled.

“I am concerned that these recommendations suggest that someone who has had significant exposure to a person with COVID-19 now does not need to get tested,” said Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and professor of public health at George Washington University. “Contact tracing is key, especially since up to 50% of all transmissions occur from people who do not have symptoms. The question arises as to why these recommendations were changed - to justify the ongoing testing shortage."

A spokesman for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) denied the change would impact contact tracing efforts, which most health officials believe is the key to any possible control of the virus.

HHS said people should consult with their doctors to decide if they should get tested.

“Management fully supports testing as a surveillance measure,” the spokesperson said.

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