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CDC was made to publish watered-down Covid testing guidelines – report CDC Covid testing guidelines were watered down despite internal objections – report
(32 minutes later)
Advice that it was not necessary to test asymptomatic cases even if they had been exposed to virus contradicted agency’s previous position US advice not to test people without symptoms, even if they had been exposed to virus, contradicted agency’s previous position
Guidance about coronavirus testing posted in August on the website of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was not written by the agency’s scientists and was posted despite their objections, the New York Times has reported, citing people familiar with the matter and internal documents.Guidance about coronavirus testing posted in August on the website of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was not written by the agency’s scientists and was posted despite their objections, the New York Times has reported, citing people familiar with the matter and internal documents.
The guidance deemed it unnecessary to test people with no symptoms of Covid-19, even if they had been exposed.The guidance deemed it unnecessary to test people with no symptoms of Covid-19, even if they had been exposed.
The agency’s previous position recommended testing all people who have had close contact with anyone diagnosed with Covid-19. The reversal shocked doctors and politicians and prompted accusations of political interference.The agency’s previous position recommended testing all people who have had close contact with anyone diagnosed with Covid-19. The reversal shocked doctors and politicians and prompted accusations of political interference.
Admiral Brett Giroir, assistant secretary for health at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) – the CDC’s parent – at the time said the goal was “appropriate testing”, not more testing for its own sake, and that there had been no political pressure.Admiral Brett Giroir, assistant secretary for health at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) – the CDC’s parent – at the time said the goal was “appropriate testing”, not more testing for its own sake, and that there had been no political pressure.
Internal documents on the matter contained “elementary errors” – such as referring to “testing for Covid-19”, as opposed to testing for the coronavirus, which causes it – and recommendations inconsistent with the CDC’s stance, the New York Times reported on Thursday, citing a senior CDC scientist.Internal documents on the matter contained “elementary errors” – such as referring to “testing for Covid-19”, as opposed to testing for the coronavirus, which causes it – and recommendations inconsistent with the CDC’s stance, the New York Times reported on Thursday, citing a senior CDC scientist.
Trump administration officials told the NYT that the documents were produced by the CDC and had been revised with input from agency director Robert Redfield.Trump administration officials told the NYT that the documents were produced by the CDC and had been revised with input from agency director Robert Redfield.
However the NYT also reported that HHS rewrote and then “dropped” the guidance into the CDC’s website, flouting the agency’s review process.However the NYT also reported that HHS rewrote and then “dropped” the guidance into the CDC’s website, flouting the agency’s review process.
Redfield told Reuters: “The guidelines, coordinated in conjunction with the White House coronavirus task force, received appropriate attention, consultation and input from task force experts.”Redfield told Reuters: “The guidelines, coordinated in conjunction with the White House coronavirus task force, received appropriate attention, consultation and input from task force experts.”
A HHS spokeswoman told Reuters that guidance always received input from medical and scientific experts on the task force.A HHS spokeswoman told Reuters that guidance always received input from medical and scientific experts on the task force.
A new version of the guidance, expected to be posted on Friday, had not been cleared by the CDC and was being revised by HHS officials, the NYT reported, citing a federal official.A new version of the guidance, expected to be posted on Friday, had not been cleared by the CDC and was being revised by HHS officials, the NYT reported, citing a federal official.