COVID-19 Asymptomatic Persons Should Be Tested

On September 18, 2020, the U.S. CDC issued a new statement: 'Due to the significance of asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic transmission, this guidance further reinforces the need to test asymptomatic persons, including close contacts of a person with documented SARS-CoV-2 infection.'

The CDC recommendations for SARS-CoV-2 testing have been developed based on what is currently known about COVID-19 and are subject to change as additional information becomes available.

And, the U.S. FDA has not authorized using antibody tests to diagnose SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the CDC does not currently recommend using antibody testing as the sole basis for diagnosis of acute infection. In certain situations, serologic assays may be used to support a clinical assessment of persons who present late in their illnesses when used in conjunction with viral detection tests.