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Editorial
. 2020 Dec 17;59(1):e02563-20.
doi: 10.1128/JCM.02563-20. Print 2020 Dec 17.

When Should Asymptomatic Persons Be Tested for COVID-19?

Audrey N Schuetz  1 , Peera Hemarajata  2 , Ninad Mehta  3 , Sheldon Campbell  4   5 , Stephanie Mitchell  6 , Elizabeth Palavecino  7 , Susan Butler-Wu  8 , Melissa B Miller  9
Affiliations
Editorial

When Should Asymptomatic Persons Be Tested for COVID-19?

Audrey N Schuetz et al. J Clin Microbiol. .

Abstract

On 24 August 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its website to highlight that asymptomatic individuals, even those with exposure to a COVID-19-positive contact, do not necessarily need to be tested unless they have medical conditions associated with increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. The CDC subsequently updated its guidance on 19 September 2020 to support testing of asymptomatic persons, including close contacts of persons with documented SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this editorial, the American Society for Microbiology Clinical and Public Health Microbiology Committee's Subcommittee on Laboratory Practices comments on testing of asymptomatic individuals relative to current medical knowledge of the virus and mitigation measures. Specific points are provided concerning such testing when undertaking contact tracing and routine surveillance. Limitations to consider when testing asymptomatic persons are covered, including the need to prioritize testing of contacts of positive COVID-19 cases. We urge the CDC to consult with primary stakeholders of COVID-19 testing when making such impactful changes in testing guidance.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; asymptomatic testing; contact tracing; surveillance.

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Figures

FIG 1
FIG 1
Average daily number of tests by month from data at https://covidtracking.com/data/national (1).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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