The U.S. has reported an average of 41,101 new COVID-19 cases daily in the past week, up 1 percent from the average seen two weeks ago, reports The New York Times.
Three updates:
1. The CDC has removed new guidelines suggesting the COVID-19 virus is most commonly spread via airborne transmission, reports The Washington Post. The agency's website was updated Sept. 18, stating the main mode of transmission is via respiratory droplets or aerosols released into the air when individuals cough, sneeze, sing, talk or breathe. But the guidelines were removed midday Sept. 21 because the information was a draft version of proposed changes posted in error to the agency's official site, according to the CDC. A top CDC official told the Post the update was removed because "that does not reflect our current state of knowledge." In an emailed statement to CNN, CDC spokesperson Jason McDonald said,"CDC is currently updating its recommendations regarding airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). Once this process has been completed, the update[d] language will be posted."
2. The CDC on Sept. 18 reversed a controversial change to its testing guidance, which said that people without symptoms don't always need to be tested, even if they've been exposed to the virus, reports The New York Times. Federal testing guidelines now say anyone exposed to someone with COVID-19 for more than 15 minutes should get tested. The revision comes after much criticism and concern from health experts who noted that asymptomatic transmission is fueling the pandemic, along with reporting from NYT that HHS made the guideline change despite objections from CDC scientists.
3. Minnesota reported 1,318 new COVID-19 cases Sept. 20, marking a record single-day increase, reports the StarTribune. As of Sept. 20, the state has confirmed 90,017 cases and 1,965 deaths.
Snapshot of COVID-19 in the U.S.
Cases: 6,812,470
Deaths: 199,517
Recovered: 2,590,671
Counts reflect data available as of 8:25 a.m. CDT Sept. 21.
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