CDC redefines "close contact" for Covid-19 transmission

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday expanded its definition of “close contact” of someone with coronavirus, now saying that multiple brief encounters can also lead to transmission of the virus.

The previous definition of close contact, which is used for determining who should quarantine, was being within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes.

The new standard now defines close contact as being within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes over a 24-hour period, making clear that multiple separate encounters that add up to more than 15 minutes also count.

The change comes after the CDC and Vermont health officials published a report finding that a prison employee in Vermont contracted the virus after “multiple brief encounters” with inmates who later tested positive. The 22 encounters added up to 17 minutes over an eight-hour shift, the report said.

  The Hill

I won't be surprised to see this keep evolving over time as even more people become infected and we have a clearer picture.