CDC airplane COVID exposure, Study examines danger of in-flight COVID-19 transmission

 CDC airplane COVID exposure, Study examines danger of in-flight COVID-19 transmission.

The CDC reversed its controversial guidance on testing of potentially asymptomatic people. President Trump said he expects enough vaccines to be available for every American by April. And experts warn wildfire smoke could make COVID-19 illness worse.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday revised controversial guidance that previously stated people without COVID-19 symptoms don’t necessarily need to be tested.

In updated guidance, the agency said: “If you have been in close contact, such as within 6 feet of a person with documented SARS-CoV-2 infection for at least 15 minutes and don't have symptoms you need a test."

“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 CDC added.

The agency faced significant backlash from public health officials, local health departments and members of Congress when it changed its guidance last month to state that people without symptoms “don’t necessarily need a test” even if they have had close contact with confirmed cases.

That language was deleted Friday and replaced with new text under a "clarifications" heading.

Why it matters: Local health departments argued not testing contacts of confirmed cases without symptoms would hurt contact tracing efforts. They urged the CDC to reverse the guidance, arguing that leaving it in place would force them to go against CDC advice. 

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