CDC updates COVID-19 infection control guidance for health care settings

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Friday updated its COVID-19 infection control guidance for U.S. health care settings based on current information. The guidance updates the circumstances when source control (respirator and face mask use) and universal personal protective equipment are recommended, and no longer uses vaccination status to inform source control, screening testing or post-exposure recommendations. It also updates recommendations for testing frequency, and clarifies that facilities may use their discretion regarding screening testing for asymptomatic health care personnel, among other changes. To allow for earlier intervention to prevent a strain on the health care system, the guidance recommends health care facilities use data on COVID-19 community transmission rather than COVID-19 community levels to guide certain practices.