What did the CDC define as Personal Service Workers (PSWs)?

The definition provided by the CDC for Personal Service Workers (PSWs) specifically emphasizes the nature of their work, which involves close personal contact with patients or clients. This understanding is essential as it highlights the role of PSWs in providing services that require physical proximity to individuals, such as in beauty salons, barber shops, and other personal care settings.

This definition underscores the importance of hygiene and safety protocols to prevent the spread of infections, as PSWs are directly interacting with their clients. By recognizing the close personal contact aspect, it allows for targeted guidelines and training that address the unique health risks and responsibilities of these workers.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the CDC's definition of PSWs: individuals working in healthcare settings might not always engage in personal service roles directly; workers in administrative roles may handle paperwork without physical interaction; and technicians handling laboratory specimens are focused on processing and analyzing samples, which does not typically involve personal service to clients.