CDC changed COVID-19 testing guidance due to pressure from Trump Administration

[essentialsaltes]

If you reduce testing, you reduce cases. Simple!

A sudden change in federal guidelines on coronavirus testing came this week as a result of pressure from the upper ranks of the Trump administration, a federal health official close to the process tells CNN.

"It's coming from the top down," the official said of the new directive from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The new guidelines raise the bar on who should get tested, advising that some people without symptoms probably don't need it -- even if they've been in close contact with an infected person.

Previously, the CDC said viral testing was appropriate for people with recent or suspected exposure, even if they were asymptomatic.

CDC would not comment on questions about its own policy change.

In a statement to CNN, HHS Assistant Secretary Brett Giroir said: "This Guidance has been updated to reflect current evidence and best public health practices, and to further emphasize using CDC-approved prevention strategies to protect yourself, your family, and the most vulnerable of all ages."

HHS has not specified what change in "current evidence" may have driven the change. Giroir is expected to address these issues at a briefing Wednesday afternoon.

---

Here's what the CDC website said previously: "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."

The CDC changed the site on Monday. Here's what it says now: "If you have been in close contact (within 6 feet) of a person with a COVID-19 infection for at least 15 minutes but do not have symptoms, you do not necessarily need a test unless you are a vulnerable individual or your health care provider or State or local public health officials recommend you take one."

 

[Hans Blaster]

If you reduce testing, you reduce cases. Simple!

A sudden change in federal guidelines on coronavirus testing came this week as a result of pressure from the upper ranks of the Trump administration, a federal health official close to the process tells CNN.

"It's coming from the top down," the official said of the new directive from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The new guidelines raise the bar on who should get tested, advising that some people without symptoms probably don't need it -- even if they've been in close contact with an infected person.

Previously, the CDC said viral testing was appropriate for people with recent or suspected exposure, even if they were asymptomatic.

CDC would not comment on questions about its own policy change.

In a statement to CNN, HHS Assistant Secretary Brett Giroir said: "This Guidance has been updated to reflect current evidence and best public health practices, and to further emphasize using CDC-approved prevention strategies to protect yourself, your family, and the most vulnerable of all ages."

HHS has not specified what change in "current evidence" may have driven the change. Giroir is expected to address these issues at a briefing Wednesday afternoon.

---

Here's what the CDC website said previously: "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."

The CDC changed the site on Monday. Here's what it says now: "If you have been in close contact (within 6 feet) of a person with a COVID-19 infection for at least 15 minutes but do not have symptoms, you do not necessarily need a test unless you are a vulnerable individual or your health care provider or State or local public health officials recommend you take one."

I don't know how much more we can take of Agent Chaos before we collapse.

 

[camille70]

Schools are hiding cases also so parents can't make informed decisions about letting their kids return to school.

Covid in the Classroom? Some Schools Are Keeping It Quiet

 

[essentialsaltes]

I guess I have to laugh at Trump's brazen chicanery. This action was taken while Dr. Fauci was under general anesthesia.

White House Coronavirus Task Force member Dr. Anthony Fauci said he was undergoing surgery and not part of the discussion during the August 20 task force meeting when updated US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines were discussed.

"I was under general anesthesia in the operating room and was not part of any discussion or deliberation regarding the new testing recommendations," Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

"I am concerned about the interpretation of these recommendations and worried it will give people the incorrect assumption that asymptomatic spread is not of great concern. In fact it is," he added.

 

[rnmomof7]

If you reduce testing, you reduce cases. Simple!

A sudden change in federal guidelines on coronavirus testing came this week as a result of pressure from the upper ranks of the Trump administration, a federal health official close to the process tells CNN.

"It's coming from the top down," the official said of the new directive from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The new guidelines raise the bar on who should get tested, advising that some people without symptoms probably don't need it -- even if they've been in close contact with an infected person.

Previously, the CDC said viral testing was appropriate for people with recent or suspected exposure, even if they were asymptomatic.

CDC would not comment on questions about its own policy change.

In a statement to CNN, HHS Assistant Secretary Brett Giroir said: "This Guidance has been updated to reflect current evidence and best public health practices, and to further emphasize using CDC-approved prevention strategies to protect yourself, your family, and the most vulnerable of all ages."

HHS has not specified what change in "current evidence" may have driven the change. Giroir is expected to address these issues at a briefing Wednesday afternoon.

---

Here's what the CDC website said previously: "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."

The CDC changed the site on Monday. Here's what it says now: "If you have been in close contact (within 6 feet) of a person with a COVID-19 infection for at least 15 minutes but do not have symptoms, you do not necessarily need a test unless you are a vulnerable individual or your health care provider or State or local public health officials recommend you take one."

Why would someone that is not sick and feels well drive to a Covid testing site except out of curiosity?

 

[essentialsaltes]

Why would someone that is not sick and feels well drive to a Covid testing site except out of curiosity?

These rules specifically relate to people who have been in close contact with others who have tested positive.

 

[iluvatar5150]

Why would someone that is not sick and feels well drive to a Covid testing site except out of curiosity?

To verify that you’re not infected. It’s a good idea before you come into contact with a new group of people. I had to do it before I hd surgery.

 

[hedrick]

These rules specifically relate to people who have been in close contact with others who have tested positive.

In case it isn’t obvious, the goal is to catch people who got it before they spread it to others. Covid spreads before you show symptoms. Indeed sometimes people never develop symptoms that they recognize.

 

[Belk]

If you reduce testing, you reduce cases. Simple!

A sudden change in federal guidelines on coronavirus testing came this week as a result of pressure from the upper ranks of the Trump administration, a federal health official close to the process tells CNN.

"It's coming from the top down," the official said of the new directive from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The new guidelines raise the bar on who should get tested, advising that some people without symptoms probably don't need it -- even if they've been in close contact with an infected person.

Previously, the CDC said viral testing was appropriate for people with recent or suspected exposure, even if they were asymptomatic.

CDC would not comment on questions about its own policy change.

In a statement to CNN, HHS Assistant Secretary Brett Giroir said: "This Guidance has been updated to reflect current evidence and best public health practices, and to further emphasize using CDC-approved prevention strategies to protect yourself, your family, and the most vulnerable of all ages."

HHS has not specified what change in "current evidence" may have driven the change. Giroir is expected to address these issues at a briefing Wednesday afternoon.

---

Here's what the CDC website said previously: "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."

The CDC changed the site on Monday. Here's what it says now: "If you have been in close contact (within 6 feet) of a person with a COVID-19 infection for at least 15 minutes but do not have symptoms, you do not necessarily need a test unless you are a vulnerable individual or your health care provider or State or local public health officials recommend you take one."

 

[KCfromNC]

When someone says they're going to do something, believe them : Trump: 'With smaller testing we would show fewer cases'

 

[MIDutch]

Is anyone really surprised? trump doesn't care about how many people get sick and/or die. He only cares about the optics of it and how it affects his reelection chances.

 

[essentialsaltes]

CDC director [sorta kinda not really] walks back change in coronavirus testing guidelines

The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday issued new guidance for coronavirus testing, days after a quiet change sparked protests from the scientific and medical communities.

In a statement, Director Robert Redfield said those who come into contact with confirmed or probable COVID-19 patients could be tested themselves, even if they do not show symptoms of the virus.

Redfield said the guidelines issued on Monday had been coordinated with the White House coronavirus task force. The new guidance comes as the number of coronavirus tests across the United States has fallen in recent weeks.

But even his Thursday statement falls short of previous guidance, in which the CDC recommended contacts of those infected with the virus be tested specifically because of the threat of asymptomatic or presymptomatic transmission.

What the heck is 'could be'? Of course they 'could be' tested. That's not a guideline. Before, the CDC recommended they should be tested.

 

[wing2000]

Science (and common sense) are on the ballot.

 

[variant]

It's weird that so many in the population want a government that tries to cover up the truth because they want better optics on a currently spreading disease.

Even if that means making sure the disease spreads more and harms the public health.

 

[FireDragon76]

It's weird that so many in the population want a government that tries to cover up the truth because they want better optics on a currently spreading disease.

Even if that means making sure the disease spreads more and harms the public health.

Lots of Americans are going to die. So much for the "pro-life" party.

 

[seeking.IAM]

If the CDC becomes a politicized arm of the White House, I'm back to the World Health Organization for guidance. It's either that or tweets written from the White House toilet at 2:30 a.m. Who do you want your medical advice from?

 

[Arc F1]

If you reduce testing, you reduce cases. Simple!

A sudden change in federal guidelines on coronavirus testing came this week as a result of pressure from the upper ranks of the Trump administration, a federal health official close to the process tells CNN.

"It's coming from the top down," the official said of the new directive from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The new guidelines raise the bar on who should get tested, advising that some people without symptoms probably don't need it -- even if they've been in close contact with an infected person.

Previously, the CDC said viral testing was appropriate for people with recent or suspected exposure, even if they were asymptomatic.

CDC would not comment on questions about its own policy change.

In a statement to CNN, HHS Assistant Secretary Brett Giroir said: "This Guidance has been updated to reflect current evidence and best public health practices, and to further emphasize using CDC-approved prevention strategies to protect yourself, your family, and the most vulnerable of all ages."

HHS has not specified what change in "current evidence" may have driven the change. Giroir is expected to address these issues at a briefing Wednesday afternoon.

---

Here's what the CDC website said previously: "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."

The CDC changed the site on Monday. Here's what it says now: "If you have been in close contact (within 6 feet) of a person with a COVID-19 infection for at least 15 minutes but do not have symptoms, you do not necessarily need a test unless you are a vulnerable individual or your health care provider or State or local public health officials recommend you take one."

If I had to do it all over again I wouldn't get tested. A positive result puts a target on your back. Not to mention the fact people treat you differently.

 

[Fantine]

Trying to make the stats look better before the election.

Won't we be excited when a vaccine is approved one week before the election (insufficiently tested and of uncertain benefit, IF he can get the FDA to go along with his scheme)!

Just like the UAE-Israel agreement--pulling in favors to gain reelection...wonder how long the agreement will last?

Of course he'll push the Fed to do an interest rate cut to boost the stock market...

None of this is real! It's smoke and mirrors! He will keep trying to manipulate reality up until the day of the election.

 

[GreatLakes4Ever]

Trying to make the stats look better before the election.

Won't we be excited when a vaccine is approved one week before the election (insufficiently tested and of uncertain benefit, IF he can get the FDA to go along with his scheme)!

Just like the UAE-Israel agreement--pulling in favors to gain reelection...wonder how long the agreement will last?

Of course he'll push the Fed to do an interest rate cut to boost the stock market...

None of this is real! It's smoke and mirrors! He will keep trying to manipulate reality up until the day of the election.

Honestly, I think Trump got this trigger pulled too soon. A few weeks before the election could work but there is enough time now for the virus to spread undetected and the deaths to start to pile. Positive tests can be avoided but dead people are hard to hide unless you are Sweeney Todd.

 

[wing2000]

" To save as many lives as possible, we are focusing on the science, the facts and the data."

Transcript: Donald Trump's RNC speech - CNNPolitics