According to the CDC, people exposed to a COVID-19 case but are not feeling symptoms do not need testing for the virus. Before, the CDC said people need to get tested right away if they had contact with a known COVID-19 case.
No Testing, Says the CDC
Gizmodo reports that CDC’s new advice says people don’t need testing unless they suffer health conditions. Doctors or health officials also have to order them to get tested. With this new rule, people who don’t feel sick but may have had contact with a COVID-19 case can choose not to get tested.
Earlier, the CDC has said that more people need to undergo testing to control the spread of the virus.
What Do Scientists Say?
On the other hand, scientists have stressed that more people should get tested for COVID-19. Even if they don’t feel sick, people exposed to COVID-19 patients should get tested all the more. Scientists believe that asymptomatic people can still spread the virus.
If you test people early enough, you can isolate new cases right away. Quick testing also helps contact tracers track the virus’s source. Once they locate the source, they can stop the virus right then and there. Without testing, the virus can spread without anyone knowing.
Why the CDC Reversed Course
Former CDC Director Tom Frieden tweeted that the CDC reversal baffled him. He added that a higher power might have forced the CDC to change course. Also, he knocked the CDC for not calling for returning travelers to self-isolate for two weeks. The US government has said that the CDC’s decision was its own. It also added that US President Donald Trump had nothing to do with the reversal.
Two unexplained, inexplicable, probably indefensible changes, likely imposed on CDC's website.
* Dammit, if you come from a place with lots of Covid, quarantine for 14 days
* If you're a contact, get tested. If +, we can trace your contacts and stop chains of spread.A sad day.
— Dr. Tom Frieden (@DrTomFrieden) August 26, 2020
