CDC Says Airborne Transmission Possible In Another Reversal: BLOG

ACROSS AMERICA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention again has posted new guidance showing that airborne transmission of the coronavirus can spread beyond 6 feet indoors.

“These transmissions occurred within enclosed spaces that had inadequate ventilation,” the new guidance posted Monday said, according to the New York Times. “Sometimes the infected person was breathing heavily, for example while singing or exercising.”

The CDC posted a similar declaration two weeks ago but quickly backtracked, stating the post was made in "error."

Now, the guidance says the coronavirus can "sometimes be spread by airborne transmission" and could be spread by both larger droplets and smaller aerosols when people "cough, sneeze, sing, talk or breathe."

This comes as a shift in coronavirus case positivity rates and high case numbers nationally have been noticed as the coronavirus pandemic comes into its eighth month.

In recent weeks, some of the least-populated states have shown record numbers. Since late summer, North Dakota and South Dakota have had the most cases per capita, according to a report based on New York Times data.

Four other states — Wisconsin, Indiana, Montana and Wyoming — have reported more cases in the past week than in any other seven-day stretch since the pandemic started. Utah on Sunday recorded 1,387 new cases, a single-day record.

Mask-wearing is now mandatory at the U.S. National Security Council. Prior to President Donald Trump's positive coronavirus test result Thursday, it had been voluntary, according to Josh Wingrove, a White House reporter for Bloomberg News who cited National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien.

The move came as the virus has hit not only Trump but also several other elected officials and those close to the president. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany tweeted Monday that she tested positive Monday for the coronavirus. She joins former counselor Kellyanne Conway, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Trump's campaign manager, Bill Stepien, as being among those in Trump's circle who have tested positive. Vice President Mike Pence, Attorney General William Barr and Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin are among those close to Trump who have tested negative, according to a CNN report.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Saturday said he will shut down legislative work for Republicans until Oct. 19 as the coronavirus sweeps through Senate ranks and lawmakers call for more-comprehensive testing on Capitol Hill.

Republican Sens. Mike Lee, Thom Tillis and Ron Johnson all announced they tested positive for the coronavirus in recent days.

The three senators are among a growing list of Trump allies who have tested positive for the virus.

After testing positive and then showing symptoms, Trump spent the weekend at Walter Reed Medical Center after testing positive Thursday night but was discharged early Monday evening.

Despite his decision, McConnell vowed that hearings for Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett would push ahead as planned.

Confirmation hearings for Barrett is scheduled to begin Oct. 12

There was no word over the weekend on whether Senate Democrats would also agree to shutter business.

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Also, the president's coronavirus diagnosis is prompting Congress to come together to reach a compromise on a massive coronavirus relief package.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said the president's diagnosis has "changed the dynamic" on Capitol Hill.

"They see the reality of what we have been saying all along: This is a vicious virus, and it spreads,” Pelosi said during an appearance on MSNBC.

McConnell also said talks on a new relief package were "speeding up," according to a report by The Hill.

"I think we're closer to getting an outcome," he said during an event in Kentucky.

Some members of Congress aren't so optimistic. Rep. Dean Phillips, a Democrat from Minnesota, said "only time will tell" if a deal will be reached. "I think if anything, it might actually be that final dose of inspiration necessary to bring both sides together and ensure something gets done,” he added.

READ: U.S. Hiring Slows For 3rd Month In Sign Of Struggling Economy

At least 332 new coronavirus deaths and 34,491 new cases were reported in the United States on Sunday, according to a New York Times database. Over the past week, there have been an average of 43,586 cases per day, an increase of 6 percent from the average two weeks earlier.

As of Monday, 29 states and Puerto Rico remained above the positive testing rate recommended by the World Health Organization to safely reopen. To safely reopen, the WHO recommends states remain at 5 percent or lower for at least 14 days.

Almost 7.45 million people in the United States have tested positive for the coronavirus as of Monday evening, and more than 210,000 have died, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.

Stay up to date on current coronavirus news via The New York Times or Washington Post.

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