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CDC expands definition of ‘close contacts’ of someone with Covid-19

October 22, 2020 – The CDC yesterday expanded its definition of a “close contact” of someone with Covid-19. The agency now defines this as someone who spent a cumulative 15 minutes or more within six feet of someone who was infectious over 24 hours, even if the time isn’t consecutive. Previously, the agency defined “close contact” as someone who spent 15 minutes or more within six feet of someone who was infectious. Close contacts are those who are tracked down during contact tracing and are recommended to quarantine. The expanded definition comes as the agency released a new study describing how a correctional officer in Vermont appeared to have been infected with the coronavirus after multiple brief encounters with six incarcerated individuals with Covid-19.

Read the CDC study at https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6943e1.htm?s_cid=mm6943e1_w