CDC: COVID-19 Is Airborne--Or Is It?

CDC: COVID-19 Is Airborne--Or Is It?

Over the weekend, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that the novel coronavirus COVID-19 can be airborne.

Days later, Gizmodo reports the public health agency took it back.

The new language on the CDC's website was released Friday, saying COVID-19 could be transmitted by respiratory droplets and through the air.

But by Monday afternoon, the CDC removed the new language, claiming it was a draft version that was posted in error.

It’s unclear whether the walk-back was due to pressure from higher-up officials in the Trump administration, which has had a track record of interfering with the CDC.

Evidence suggests the virus can and has spread via aerosols in certain conditions, such as in air-conditioned and poorly ventilated spaces.

However, there's uncertainty as to how great a role airborne transmission plays in the overall spread of the virus.