CDC Withdraws Recommendation of Testing for Asymptomatic Individuals After Close Exposure to COVID-19
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) raised eyebrows on Aug. 28 when it revised its COVID-19 testing guidance to suggest that testing is not necessarily a must for asymptomatic individuals who have been in close recent contact with a person confirmed as having a COVID-19 infection. The new guidance departs from not […]

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) raised eyebrows on Aug. 28 when it revised its COVID-19 testing guidance to suggest that testing is not necessarily a must for asymptomatic individuals who have been in close recent contact with a person confirmed as having a COVID-19 infection. The new guidance departs from not only medical consensus but the agency’s previous recommendations.
The CDC’s New Testing Recommendation
According to the new guidance, if you have been in close contact (within 6 feet) of a person with a COVID-19 infection for at least 15 minutes but do not have symptoms, you do not necessarily need a test unless:
- You are a vulnerable individual; or
- Your health care provider or State or local public health officials recommend that you get tested.
This content is exclusive to Diagnostic Testing and Emerging Technologies subscribers
Start a Free Trial for immediate access to this article and our entire archive of over 20 years of DTET reports.