Boone County health leaders continue to recommend testing after coronavirus exposure

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Health officials in Boone County continue to recommend testing for people who are exposed to novel coronavirus if they're not showing symptoms.

The recommendation goes against new CDC guidelines published this week that say people who have been exposed might not need to be tested if they don't have symptoms of COVID-19.

Scott Clardy, the assistant director of the Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services, said Wednesday that the department still recommends close contacts of infected people get tested.

"We will continue to recommend close contacts get tested at 7-9 days after their last exposure to the known case, even if asymptomatic," Clardy said. "If they would become symptomatic before that, they shouldn't wait to be tested."

University of Missouri Health Care says on its website that those showing symptoms should be tested but does not include guidelines for people who have only been exposed. MU Health spokeswoman Jesslyn Chew says the organization's recommendations on when to get tested did not change after the CDC update.

Previously the CDC said testing is recommended to all close contacts of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Now the CDC says if you have been in close contact or within 6 feet of a person with COVID-19 but do not have symptoms, you do not necessarily need a test.

Boone Hospital has tested 15,829 people, and MU Health has tested a total of 44,045 people for COVID-19.

The CDC now recommends testing for people who have been exposed to novel coronavirus if they are in a "vulnerable" category such as the elderly and those with underlying conditions, if the patient's health care provider orders one or if local officials recommend it.

Anyone who is tested because of contact is advised to self-quarantine while waiting for results.

Check back later for more on this developing story or watch ABC 17 News at 5 and 6.