CDC Updates Guidance On “How COVID Is Spread”

On Monday, October 5, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the guidance on How COVID 19 Spreads.

This includes information about the potential for airborne spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.

The CDC website states:

CDC continues to believe, based on current science, that people are more likely to become infected the longer and closer they are to a person with COVID-19.  Today’s update acknowledges the existence of some published reports showing limited, uncommon circumstances where people with COVID-19 infected others who were more than 6 feet away or shortly after the COVID-19-positive person left an area.  In these instances, transmission occurred in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces that often involved activities that caused heavier breathing, like singing or exercise.  Such environments and activities may contribute to the buildup of virus-carrying particles.

People are encouraged to continue to stay at least 6 feet away from others, wear a mask, wash their hands frequently, clean touched surfaces, and to stay home when sick.