Updated Guidance for Testing for SARS-CoV-2

The CDC recently updated its COVID-19 testing guidance to recommend that if someone has had exposure to a person with COVID-19 and is asymptomatic, but has had COVID-19 within the past 30 days, testing to identify a new infection is generally not recommended.

If someone has become newly symptomatic after having had COVID-19 within the past 30 days, antigen tests should be used to identify a new infection. If they test negative, the antigen test should be repeated per FDA guidance.

If someone had exposure to another person with COVID-19, but the exposed individual has had COVID-19 within the past 30-90 days, consider using antigen tests (rather than an NAAT, such as a PCR test) to identify a new infection. They should not test until at least 5 days after their exposure.  Whether they are symptomatic or asymptomatic, if they test negative with an antigen test, they should repeat the antigen test as recommended by FDA guidance. Read the CDC guidance.