NATIONWIDE — New guidelines from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that left many doctors and politicians confused reportedly came from the Trump administration.

What You Need To Know

  • The CDC updated their testing recommendations for people who came into contact with COVID-19 patients

  • Those who came in contact with a person with a COVID-19 infection do not necessarily have to get tested if they are asymptomatic

  • A government official tells CNN the new directive came about after the CDC faced pressure from the Trump Administration

  • The CDC has not yet provided evidence for why this change was necessary

In a move that contradicts previous recommendations, the CDC released guidance earlier this week that some people who came in close contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19 might not actually need to get tested. 

In the days since, reports surfaced that the change actually came about after the CDC faced pressure from President Trump’s team.

"It's coming from the top down,” a federal official with knowledge of the situation reportedly told CNN.

The change left many government officials and medical professionals perplexed, as there is seemingly little to no scientific evidence to support the new guidelines. The CDC website reflected the changes as of Monday, and has yet to explain the reasoning behind the latest updates to the testing protocols.

"If you have been in close contact (within 6 feet) of a person with a COVID-19 infection for at least 15 minutes but do not have symptoms, you do not necessarily need a test unless you are a vulnerable individual or your health care provider or State or local public health officials recommend you take one,” the CDC website now reads. 

The agency previously encouraged anyone who had contact with a person infected with the disease to get tested immediately. 

"Testing is recommended for all close contacts of persons with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Because of the potential for asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic transmission, it is important that contacts of individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection be quickly identified and tested,” the site previously read. 

Nonetheless, Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary Brett Giroir reportedly told CNN that the change was based on "current evidence," although he declined to elaborate on said evidence. 

According to the CDC’s own data from just last month, asymptomatic infections accounted for 40% of the total coronavirus cases in the United States.

"This Guidance has been updated to reflect current evidence and best public health practices, and to further emphasize using CDC-approved prevention strategies to protect yourself, your family, and the most vulnerable of all ages,” Giroir reportedly told CNN in a statement. Giroir is expected to hold a press briefing to explain the changes on Wednesday afternoon.

The change comes amid repeated suggestions from President Trump that the United States should do less testing. In June, the President tweeted: "With smaller testing we would show fewer cases!"

Trump previously said the United States’ high rate of testing makes the country “look bad” compared to other regions. 

"So the media likes to say we have the most cases, but we do, by far, the most testing. If we did very little testing, we wouldn't have the most cases. So in a way, by doing all of this testing, we make ourselves look bad," President Trump said during a meeting with Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds in May. 

The White House has repeatedly denied that the President is attempting to slow down testing. 

"It’s a comment that he made in passing, specifically with regard to the media coverage and pointing out the fact that the media never acknowledges that we have more cases because when you test more people, you find more cases," White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in June. 

The statement was in response to President Trump’s claim that testing was a “double-edged sword” and that he told his staff to "slow down the testing." 

As the public awaits a scientific explanation for the latest CDC guidelines, many government officials have taken to social media to express their outrage and confusion at the agency’s latest directive.

“The CDC reversed its guidance to say that people in close contact with a COVID-positive person don't need to get tested,” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo tweeted. “This is not science. It’s politics. Politics that are dangerous to public health. It's indefensible.”

Gov. Cuomo issued an even stronger statement during a Wednesday press call where he said New York would not be following the new CDC protocols.  

“We’re not going to follow the CDC guidance. I consider it political propaganda. I would caution private companies against following the CDC guidance. I think it is wholly indefensible on its face. I think it is inherently self-contradictory. It is the exact opposite of what the CDC has been saying,” Cuomo apparently told reporters, per CNBC. “So either the CDC is schizophrenic or they are admitting error in their first position or this is just political dictations.”

Former California Senator and Democratic powerhouse Barbara Boxer also shared her consternation for the decision on Twitter.

"Trump told the #CDC there's too much testing - slow the testing down please. So they did. As Orwell said, Ignorance is strength," Boxer wrote. 

This is a developing story. Spectrum News has reached out to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for comment.