Guidance about novel coronavirus testing posted last month on the website of the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was not written by the agency’s scientists and was posted over their objections, the New York Times has reported citing people familiar with the matter and internal documents.

Under the guidance, it was not necessary to test people with no symptoms of Covid-19 — the potentially fatal disease caused by the virus — even if they had been exposed to the virus.

The agency’s previous position recommended testing all people who have had close contact with anyone diagnosed with Covid-19. The reversal shocked doctors and politicians and prompted accusations of political interference, according to Reuters.

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