FRANKFORT, Ky. — Despite a change in testing recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Kentucky officials urge people to get tested if they come into close contact with someone who has COVID-19.


What You Need To Know

  • CDC issues new guidelines about when to get tested

  • CNN reporting the Trump Administration asked for the changed

  • Gov. Andy Beshear and health officials disagree with the change

  • New guidelines recommend testing if you have symptoms or if recommended to get one, but not if you have contact with COVID-19 positive person

 

On Monday, the CDC issued new guidelines telling people they don’t necessarily need to get tested if they come into close contact with someone who has the illness.

Governor Andy Beshear said that just isn’t good advice.

“That’s reckless,” Beshear said. “It contradicts everything that we know and have learned about this virus. It is inexplicable.”

The new guidelines still say if you have symptoms, you should get tested. They also say you should get a test if state or local public health officials recommend one.

“As your state health official, I’m saying the disease is more active in Kentucky,” Kentucky Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack said. “We are in that region of the country where it caught the White House’s attention because it appeared to be moving north into the midwest and I encourage you if you have exposure to go get tested.”

CNN reports the Trump administration pressured the CDC to change its guidance on testing.

Despite that, Beshear says he works well with the White House Coronavirus Task Force.

“Every drumbeat that we hear and that we are pushed on from the Vice President and Dr. (Deborah) Birx and that task force is to increase testing, increase testing, increase testing,” Beshear said. “And so it appears that there is a disconnect going on somewhere there in Washington but we need more testing.”

And Beshear says we don’t win the fight against the coronavirus without testing.