CDC redefines what counts as ‘close contact’
U.S. health officials Wednesday redefined what counts as close contact with someone with COVID-19 to include briefer but repeated encounters.
For months, the CDC said close contact meant spending a solid 15 minutes within 6 feet of someone who tested positive for coronavirus. On Wednesday, the CDC changed it to a total of 15 minutes or more – so shorter but repeated contacts that add up to 15 minutes over a 24-hour period now count.
The CDC advises anyone who has been in close contact with a COVID-19 patient to quarantine for two weeks. The change may prompt health departments to do contact tracing in cases where an exposure previously might have been considered too brief, said Dr. William Schaffner, a Vanderbilt University infectious diseases expert. It also serves notice that the virus can spread more easily than people realize, he added.
NJ governor goes into quarantine
Gov. Phil Murphy said he will quarantine after coming “in close proximity” with a member of his staff who tested positive. “I will now, unfortunately, have to take myself off the field,” Murphy said before leaving an event in Camden County.
Murphy, 63, tested negative Monday and said he had no symptoms. But that does not clear him because the virus can take several days to incubate, a point he has been pressing in his regular briefings. The Democrat and his wife were tested later Wednesday, and the results came back negative.
Europe sets record for weekly cases
Europe reported a new high in the weekly number of cases last week, recording more than 927,000, the World Health Organization says. The health agency said in its latest global report that the continent saw a 25% spike in confirmed cases last week and was responsible for 38% of all new cases reported worldwide. Russia, which spreads into Europe and Asia, the Czech Republic and Italy accounted for more than half of new cases in Europe. Ireland on Wednesday became the first EU country to return to lockdown amid the slide, although Prime Minister Micheal Martin insisted schools will stay open.
DC mayor urges use of tracing software
Mayor Muriel Bowser is urging residents with Apple or Android smartphones to opt in to the new DC COVID Alert Notice system, or DC CAN. Bowser called it “a quick and easy way to know if you might have been exposed to COVID-19,” adding that it can help protect family, friends and the community.
The new Exposure Notification Express model is a major tweak to existing Google-Apple contact tracing software that became available earlier this year. But that tool was not readily embraced by health departments in part because it required jurisdictions to build and maintain their own apps. The new system claims to be simpler and doesn’t require iPhone users to download an app.
Idaho sees 46.5% spike in new cases
Idaho is seeing its largest coronavirus increase since the pandemic began: The number of new cases has increased 46.5% over the past two weeks. That has some health care experts urging Gov. Brad Little to take additional action to slow the spread.
Dr. Bart Hill with the St. Luke’s Regional Health System said Idaho’s current approach hasn’t worked to change the trajectory of the pandemic. He said hospital officials are meeting with the governor to encourage additional steps like statewide information campaigns targeting teens and young adults.
The governor has said the responsibility for efforts to slow the virus falls on individuals. He urges people to wear masks, practice social distancing and wash their hands.
Calif. private school fined for defying order
After a three-month legal battle with state and county officials, a California private school will have to pay a $15,000 fine for defying a judge’s health order to keep classrooms closed during the pandemic. The Fresno County judge said there was “overwhelming” evidence that Immanuel Schools, a K-12 Christian school in the Central Valley, violated his Sept. 15 order. The judge originally fined the school $50,000, but then dropped it to $15,000 after the school committed to following stricter state and local requirements for in-person instruction. If the school fails to do so, the judge said he will require the school to pay the full $50,000.