CDC Updates Close Contact Definition

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In a new publication on contact tracing, CDC updated its definition of close contact to define the length of time of contact from “for a prolonged period of time” to “at least 15 minutes.”. The new CDC definition of close contact for COVID-19 is:

• “Any individual within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes.”

• Irrespective of whether either or both individuals were wearing a cloth face covering at the time of exposure. Clarifying that the cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators, CDC states, “At this time, differential determination of close contact for those using fabric face coverings is not recommended.”

• Anyone exposed from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days before positive specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated.

 

This update closely supports TAG’s long-held recommendation of defining close contact as being within 6 feet of an infected person for 10 to 15 minutes.

And:

• “Infected” includes both laboratory-confirmed or probable COVID-19 cases.

• Testing is recommended for all close contacts of confirmed or probable persons.

• Those who test positive (symptomatic or asymptomatic) should be managed as a confirmed case.

 

Like TAG, CDC also recommends that everyone wear cloth face coverings when leaving their homes, regardless of whether they have fever or symptoms of COVID-19.