Governor Andrew Cuomo, joined by State Health Department Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker, criticized recent changes to Centers for Disease Control guidance when it comes to being tested for COVID-19.

Overnight, the CDC changed its guidance, recommending that if someone is in close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 for less than 15 minutes, then they do not have to be tested if they are asymptomatic. This is different than their original guidance that recommended for a person who is in contact with a COVID-positive person to be tested, even if they are asymptomatic.

“The CDC reversed their guidance, saying that 'if you're in close contact with someone who has COVID, you don't need a test,’ Governor Cuomo said. “I’ve spoken with medical experts; this makes no sense. It's the president's policy of denying the problem.

“Shame on the people of the CDC. This will not look well in the scope of the history. What plausible rationale would say, 'if you're in close contact with a person who has COVID, you don't need a test'?"

“These are indefensible actions,” Dr. Howard Zucker added. 

Cuomo says that New York will not be following this new guidance, calling it "political propaganda."

Also Tuesday, 71,189 coronavirus tests were conducted. Around 566 came back positive, or 0.79% of tests. This is the 19th straight day in a row that positive test results are below 1%. There were three people who died from COVID-19 yesterday. 

Western New York still has a caution flag, Cuomo said, since there are still clusters in the area. 

Additionally, Cuomo announced that New York will be sending forest rangers to California to help battle fires there.