Asymptomatic testing

 The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website updated, yet again, guidelines for testing people who do not have symptoms of coronavirus.

Let’s put aside all the confusion and politics, and focus on the information you need to know: If you’ve been in contact with someone who has had coronavirus, you should get tested -- regardless of whether you are showing symptoms.

The updated guidance notes that even if people do not have symptoms, they still need a test if they have been in close contact -- within 6 feet -- of a person with coronavirus infection for 15 minutes or more.

The new language rolls back controversial changes made to the CDC’s site last month.

“Due to the significance of asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic transmission, this guidance further reinforces the need to test asymptomatic persons, including close contacts of a person with documented SARS-CoV-2 infection," the site now says, calling the update a clarification.

 

"Testing is recommended for all close contacts of persons with SARS-CoV-2 infection. 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.”