NYT: US CDC testing guidance was published against scientists’ objections
"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", reads the September 18 update.
The earlier guidance caused alarm in the public health community that data would give an incomplete picture of outbreaks around the country, and The New York Times reported this week that it was published by the Department of Health and Human Services without approval from experts at the CDC.
For those who know they've come into recent close contact with someone who has a documented infection from the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 - close contact meaning spending at least 15 minutes 1.83 m or closer to the person - the CDC now simply states: "You need a test".
The CDC also added that if you have pending COVID-19 test results, you should self-quarantine/isolate at home and "stay separated from household members". Friday's guidance update effectively returns the CDC's testing guidance to what it said before it was altered in late August. That change had set off a rash of criticism from health experts who couldn't fathom why the nation's top public health agency would say such a thing amid the pandemic. Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, who directed the CDC under Obama, told the Times that, "HHS and the White House writing scientifically inaccurate statements such as "don't test all contacts" on CDC's website is like someone vandalizing a national monument with graffiti".
The move quickly sparked backlash among health experts because they thought it would discourage people from getting tested.
Nvidia plans to acquire Cambridge-based Arm in a $40bn deal
Arm is a semiconductor and software design company, which is now owned by the Japanese conglomerate SoftBank. SoftBank and the Vision Fund will end up with a stake of between 6.7% and 8.1% stake in Nvidia .
Still, the guidance prompted fears of political interference. Officials said there wasn't a serious limit on testing supplies, so the change was confusing. "People who have COVID-19 can still spread the virus before they show symptoms (presymptomatic spread) or if they don't develop symptoms (asymptomatic spread)". She said local health officials spent a lot time answering questions about whether people should get testing, "as opposed to actually doing the testing".
As many as 51% of people who work in schools or have school-aged children have an increased risk of COVID-19 infection, according to a new study.
Sen. Chris Murphy, Connecticut Democrat, said the fluctuating guidance amounted to "nuclear-grade incompetence".
The officials of the Donald Trump administration told the New York Times that the documents were produced by the agency and got revised with input from the CDC director Robert Redfield. "Lives are at stake, and nobody can trust the CDC when they keep changing their guidance on testing depending on the political winds".
Recommended News
-
20 September 2020Man United in contact with Porto over Alex Telles
Telles has emerged as a target for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who is looking to improve on his options at left-back. With less than a year left on his current deal at FC Porto, Telles is available for around €20m.
20 September 2020Pouille pulls out of French Open, continues injury recovery
Her stance drew praise from many, and Osaka had a defiant response on social media to those who did complain. Osaka, who last week claimed her third grand slam title in NY , is struggling with a hamstring injury.20 September 2020Oil Overproduction: OPEC+ Asked To Extend Compensation Period
Prince Abdulaziz said on Thursday the compensation period could be extended until the end of 2020. The panel "recommended that participating countries take further necessary measures when needed". -
20 September 2020Vodafone UK accepts orders for new Apple Watch, iPad products
It doesn't have a compass or an always-on altimeter, but it still has a regular altimeter if you want to manually check it. In 2019, Apple managed to sell millions of Apple Watch 3, and this year the Apple Watch SE seems to be the clear favorite./cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/expressandstar.mna/TPWDQBXBGBFJDO5PCPMBVWSVF4.jpg)
20 September 2020EPL: Iwobi returns as Everton hammer West Brom
The addition of Rodriguez has really lifted morale within the squad and long may it last from their perspective. Bilic was then also given his marching orders when he confronted the official during the interval.20 September 2020Fearing supply shortfall, EU wants to buy more COVID vaccines - EU sources
Subject to successful trials and the Indian drug regulator's approval, 10 crore doses will be supplied. The company also plans to develop an mRNA flu vaccine. -
20 September 2020European Union executive signs contract for up to 300m Covid-19 vaccine doses
In an interview with MSNBC , Bancel said the company cares "deeply that this vaccine is trusted". It can be seen that at least eight candidate vaccines being developed in India.
20 September 2020Erdogan says willing to meet with Greek PM over east Med tensions
Last weekend, Ankara pulled the vessel back to the shore for maintenance and replenishment after its one-month mission. Erdogan also signalled that Oruc Reis would return to its work, while also saying that its withdrawal was deliberate.
20 September 2020Dead, 14 Injured After Mass Shooting In Rochester, New York
Pastor Marlowe Washington told WROC-TV: "Whoever was the host of this party needs to be held accountable for this". He added that the police didn't know about the gathering before responding to the shooting. -
20 September 2020Conservative, Bloc leaders test positive
A statement from the party said the staff member was travelling with O'Toole and recently had dinner with the Conservative Leader. O'Toole remains in self-isolation and is feeling well", a spokesperson says on behalf of O'Toole.
20 September 2020MA no longer has the country’s highest unemployment rate
Government jobs increased by 10,400 last month, with some of those jobs attribute to a surge in U.S. The state's non-seasonally adjusted decreased to 8.7%, a one percentage point drop from July.20 September 2020Boris Johnson considering short second coronavirus lockdown as cases rise
There will be approximately 4,000 infections a day, doubling every eight days, and 128,000 new daily cases by the end of October. On Friday, the daily number of new coronavirus cases hit 4,322 - the highest since May 8.
