A controversial guideline from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that discouraged people in certain situations from taking coronavirus tests was written by Trump administration officials and published despite objections from scientists, The New York Times reported Thursday.

"That was a doc that came from the top down, from the HHS and the task force," a federal official with knowledge of the matter told The Times, referring to the White House coronavirus task force led by Vice President Mike Pence.

Anthony Fauci, the top infectious-disease official in the White House coronavirus task force, also said he was in surgery when the task force discussed approving the new guidance.

In a Friday statement to Reuters, CDC Director Robert Redfield said the testing advice had been issued after receiving input from experts on the White House coronavirus task force. 

"The guidelines, coordinated in conjunction with the White House Coronavirus Task Force, received appropriate attention, consultation and input from task force experts," Redfield said