Officials from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) continued to modify the agency’s guidelines on COVID-19. On Monday, the CDC abruptly pulled down a days-old change suggesting that the virus can spread from person to person among those greater than 6 feet apart, particularly indoors.
The agency’s guidance has long said that respiratory droplets, emitted from the nose and mouth of an infected person, “are the main way the virus spreads.” In an update posted Friday, the CDC said these microscopic particles could travel distances greater than 6 feet, particularly in poorly ventilated indoor spaces, like “restaurants and fitness classes.” That language, however, was removed late Monday morning.
The CDC said in a statement posted on the guidelines home page: “A draft version of proposed changes to these recommendations was posted in error to the agency’s official website. CDC is currently updating its recommendations regarding airborne transmission of [COVID-19 and] once this process has been completed, the update language will be posted.”
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