The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday reversed controversial advice that said those exposed to Covid-19 but not showing symptoms didn’t need to get tested for the virus.
The new guidance clarifies that anyone that has been in close contact with an infected person needs a test, regardless of whether they have any symptoms. The CDC defines ‘close contact’ as having been within 6 feet of an infected person 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 guidance states. “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.”
A number of studies have shown that it is possible for a person to spread the virus prior to showing symptoms themselves, whilst some people appear to develop no symptoms at all but remain infectious. Public health experts including those at the WHO have repeatedly stressed the importance of testing people with no symptoms, and the original CDC advice had been heavily criticized.
Dr. Thomas File Jr., president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, welcomed the change of course.
“The return to a science-based approach to testing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is good news for public health and for our united fight against this pandemic. We urge officials to support the work of controlling this pandemic by following medical guidance of experts in the field,” he said in a statement.