The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention greatly expanded
its definition of "close contact" for determining a
COVID-19 exposure.
According to the CDC Public Health Guidance issued Wednesday, a
close contact is now defined as: "Someone who was within 6
feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or
more over a 24-hour period starting from 2 days before illness
onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to test specimen
collection) until the time the patient is isolated."
Previously, the definition required that the contact be 15 minutes
at one time, rather than through potentially quick contacts over an
entire 24-hour period.
This move by the CDC is likely to result in changes at the state
and local levels. It may also require employers to notify a broader
range of individuals of potential exposure and may result in
employers excluding many more employees from work for exposure to
someone with COVID-19.
Best Best & Krieger LLP will continue to closely monitor these
developments.
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