Flu and cold season is underway, and now Maine’s CDC is changing the way they investigate cases of COVID-19 that are considered probable.

The state CDC said Wednesday that, with other respiratory illnesses more common in the fall and winter, those who are experiencing symptoms and are contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases will not be investigated unless they receive a positive lab test result.

Fever, cough, and sore throat are among the symptoms often associated with both COVID-19 and the flu.

People who receive positive COVID-19 test results through antigen testing will continue to be considered probable cases by health officials, and will be investigated.

“The symptoms of influenza resemble those of COVID-19. As influenza rates increase in the coming weeks, many individuals who were in close contact with someone with COVID-19may develop symptoms, but those symptoms may be from influenza or a cold, not necessarily COVID-19. Today’s adjustment ensures that all available COVID-19 response resources can be focused on lab-positive cases,” said Dr. Nirav Shah, Director of the Maine CDC. “This change will likely result in fewer reported probable cases each day, but this is not an indication that the risk has lessened.”

Anyone who may have been exposed to COVID-19 and is experiencing symptoms is still urged to quarantine. Anyone with symptoms awaiting a test result should do the same, according to the Maine CDC