With input from Dr Monica Vasudev

1119:  CDC Expands Definition of COVID-19 Exposure From Close Contact to Cumulative 15 minutes

1. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its recommendations for likely person-to-person spread of SARS-CoV-2.
2. It cautions about the risk of multiple, brief, close contact encounters with others who are positive for COVID-19.
3. Each close encounter, within 6 feet of an infected person, can heighten the risk for transmission.
4. Previously, the CDC had warned against spending 15 minutes or longer in close proximity to an infected person, especially in enclosed indoor spaces.
5. A new report,published online October 21 in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report; however, noted that an individual who had a series of shorter contacts that over time added up to over 15 minutes, contracted the infection.
6. No interaction is therefore 100% safe.
7. Every activity that involves interacting with others carries with it some degree of risk.

[Source: Medscape]

Dr KK Aggarwal

President CMAAO, HCFI and Past National President IMA