CDC updates COVID-19 definition of ‘close contact’

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention yesterday updated how it defines “close contact” exposure to an individual infected with the COVID-19 virus to someone within 6 feet of the infected individual for 15 minutes or more cumulatively over a 24-hour period, rather than exposure within 6 feet for at least 15 minutes.

In a study released yesterday by CDC, an employee at a correctional facility in Vermont tested positive for the COVID-19 virus in August after multiple brief exposures to six infected individuals at the facility.

“Although the initial assessment did not suggest that the officer had close contact exposures, detailed review of video footage identified that the cumulative duration of exposures exceeded 15 minutes,” the authors said.