COVID-19 Testing
(Photo : Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
A nurse seals a specimen bag containing a COVID-19 test swab 

COVID-19 testing guidelines were changed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a shift the puzzled many health experts.

The new testing guidelines said some people without symptoms may not need to be tested for COVID-19. This is even though they have been in close contact with some known to have the virus.

Prior to the change in testing guidelines, CDC said COVID-19 testing was appropriate for people with recent or suspected exposure. The earlier rules also considered people without symptoms, noted CNN.

The CDC website now says someone who has been within six feet of a person with COVID-19 for at least 15 minutes but doesn't show symptoms does not "necessarily need a test."

Exceptions in Testing Guidelines

The agency did put exceptions in their testing guidelines. "Vulnerable" individuals and those who were recommended a test by a healthcare provider can still get tested.

A Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) spokesperson said Tuesday the people should consult with their doctor to decide if they should get tested.

According to Voice of America, there wasn't any explanation for the sudden changes. But experts are worried that the revisions could lead to a drop off in testing.

Catching COVID-19 Early

Experts questioned the changes, saying it is vital to identify if they are infected before symptoms show. It is during this stage of infection when many people are thought to be most contagious.

Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician, said asymptomatic patients are "exactly the people who should be tested."

According to a New York Times report, about half of transmission can be traced back to people who haven't shown symptoms yet. They can pass the virus on before they feel sick - if they ever feel sick at all.

A more lenient approach to testing could result in delays in important treatments, experts said. It can also change experts' understanding of the virus' true spread in the community.

Dr. Krutika Kuppalli, an infectious disease physician in Palo Alto said these changes are "potentially dangerous." Only testing people who show obvious symptoms means CDC isn't looking for people who could possibly spread the virus.

 "I feel like this is going to make things worse," she added.

Health expert Alison Galvano also weighed in on the matter. She said it work she's been involved in gave emphasis to the importance of testing people, regardless of symptoms.

"This change in policy will kill," she said in a USA Today article.

Galvano is the director for the Center for Infectious Disease Modeling and Analysis at Yale School of Medicine,

Appropriate COVID-19 Testing, Not Less Testing

Peter Pitts, president of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest, also commented on the new testing guidelines. He said the new guidelines are "not permitted to do away with testing," but he's still worried that some will take it that way.

He stressed how important it is for the CDC to encourage more testing.

HHS Assistant Secretary for Health, Dr. Brett Giroir, said that the new guidance was meant to encourage more "appropriate testing, not less testing."

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