US: CDC removes guidance on airborne virus transmission

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) abruptly removed COVID-19 guidance Monday that warned there is "growing evidence" the coronavirus is airborne.

The health authority said the "draft" information was posted prematurely, and added it is updating the guidance's language before reposting it.

"A draft version of proposed changes to these recommendations was posted in error to the agency’s official website. 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 language will be posted," the CDC said on its website.

The since removed information about the way the virus spread was updated without fanfare Friday and was not reported on until Sunday when CNN published a story on the change.

While the agency maintains COVID-19 most commonly spreads when people are in close contact, it added Friday "that droplets and airborne particles can remain suspended in the air and be breathed in by others, and travel distances beyond 6 feet (for example, during choir practice, in restaurants, or in fitness classes)."

"In general, indoor environments without good ventilation increase this risk," it said, according to CNN.

It also reportedly shifted its language on asymptomatic transmission from saying "some people without symptoms may be able to spread the virus" to "people who are infected but do not show symptoms can spread the virus to others."

That has also been removed from the agency's website.