151
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Smallwood N, Harrex W, Rees M, Willis K, Bennett CM. COVID-19 infection and the broader impacts of the pandemic on healthcare workers. Respirology 2022; 27:411-426. [PMID: 35048469 DOI: 10.1111/resp.14208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) disease or COVID-19 pandemic is associated with more than 230 million cases and has challenged healthcare systems globally. Many healthcare workers (HCWs) have acquired the infection, often through their workplace, with a significant number dying. The epidemiology of COVID-19 infection in HCWs continues to be explored, with manifold exposure risks identified, leading to COVID-19 being recognised as an occupational disease for HCWs. The physical illness due to COVID-19 in HCWs is similar to the general population, with some HCWs experiencing a long-term illness, which may impact their ability to return to work. HCWs have also been affected by the immense workplace and psychosocial disruption caused by the pandemic. The impacts on the psychological well-being of HCWs globally have been profound, with high prevalence estimates for mental health symptoms, including emotional exhaustion. Globally, governments, healthcare organisations and employers have key responsibilities, including: to be better prepared for crises with comprehensive disaster response management plans, and to protect and preserve the health workforce from the physical and psychological impacts of the pandemic. While prioritising HCWs in vaccine rollouts globally has been critical, managing exposures and outbreaks occurring in healthcare settings remains challenging and continues to lead to substantial disruption to the health workforce. Safeguarding healthcare workforces during crises is critical as we move forward on the new path of 'COVID normal'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Smallwood
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Alfred Hospital, Prahran, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Central Clinical School, The Alfred Hospital, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Warren Harrex
- Consultant Occupational & Environmental Physician, Woden, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Megan Rees
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Disorders Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medicine, RMH, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Karen Willis
- Public Health, College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Division of Critical Care and Investigative Services, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Catherine M Bennett
- Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
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152
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Wilson AM, Sleeth DK, Schaefer C, Jones RM. Transmission of Respiratory Viral Diseases to Health Care Workers: COVID-19 as an Example. Annu Rev Public Health 2022; 43:311-330. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-publhealth-052120-110009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Health care workers (HCWs) can acquire infectious diseases, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), from patients. Herein, COVID-19 is used with the source–pathway–receptor framework as an example to assess evidence for the role of aerosol transmission and indirect contact transmission of viral respiratory infectious diseases. Evidence for both routes is strong for COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses, but aerosol transmission is likely dominant for COVID-19. Key knowledge gaps about transmission processes and control strategies include the distribution of viable virus among respiratory aerosols of different sizes, the mechanisms and efficiency by which virus deposited on the facial mucous membrane moves to infection sites inside the body, and the performance of source controls such as face coverings and aerosol containment devices. To ensure that HCWs are adequately protected from infection, guidelines and regulations must be updated to reflect the evidence that respiratory viruses are transmitted via aerosols. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Public Health, Volume 43 is April 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda M. Wilson
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA;, ,
- Department of Community, Environment and Policy, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Darrah K. Sleeth
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA;, ,
| | - Camie Schaefer
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA;, ,
| | - Rachael M. Jones
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA;, ,
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153
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Castellini JE, Faulkner CA, Zuo W, Lorenzetti DM, Sohn MD. Assessing the use of portable air cleaners for reducing exposure to airborne diseases in a conference room with thermal stratification. BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT 2022; 207:108441. [PMID: 34720357 PMCID: PMC8548847 DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.108441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for strategies that mitigate the risk of aerosol disease transmission in indoor environments with different ventilation strategies. It is necessary for building operators to be able to estimate and compare the relative impacts of different mitigation strategies to determine suitable strategies for a particular situation. Using a validated CFD model, this study simulates the dispersion of exhaled contaminants in a thermally stratified conference room with overhead heating. The impacts of portable air-cleaners (PACs) on the room airflow and contaminant distribution were evaluated for different PAC locations and flow rates, as well as for different room setups (socially distanced or fully occupied). To obtain a holistic view of a strategy's impacts under different release scenarios, we simultaneously model the steady-state distribution of aerosolized virus contaminants from eight distinct sources in 18 cases for a total of 144 release scenarios. The simulations show that the location of the source, the PAC settings, and the room set-up can impact the average exposure and PAC effectiveness. For this studied case, the PACs reduced the room average exposure by 31%-66% relative to the baseline case. Some occupant locations were shown to have a higher-than-average exposure, particularly those seated near the airflow outlet, and occupants closest to sources tended to see the highest exposure from said source. We found that these PACs were effective at reducing the stratification caused by overhead heating, and also identified at least one sub-optimal location for placing a PAC in this space.
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Affiliation(s)
- John E Castellini
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, UCB 427, Boulder, 80309, CO, USA
| | - Cary A Faulkner
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, UCB 427, Boulder, 80309, CO, USA
| | - Wangda Zuo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, UCB 427, Boulder, 80309, CO, USA
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, UCB 428, Boulder, 80309, CO, USA
- National Renewable Energy National Laboratory, Golden, 80401, CO, USA
| | - David M Lorenzetti
- Energy Analysis and Environmental Impacts Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, 94720, CA, USA
| | - Michael D Sohn
- Energy Analysis and Environmental Impacts Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, 94720, CA, USA
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154
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The effect of national restrictions on computed tomography severity score and the prognosis of COVID-19. JOURNAL OF SURGERY AND MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.28982/josam.954935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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155
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Li L, Han ZG, Qin PZ, Liu WH, Yang Z, Chen ZQ, Li K, Xie CJ, Ma Y, Wang H, Huang Y, Fan SJ, Yan ZL, Ou CQ, Luo L. Transmission and containment of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant of concern in Guangzhou, China: A population-based study. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010048. [PMID: 34986169 PMCID: PMC8730460 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The first community transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Delta variant of concern (VOC) in Guangzhou, China occurred between May and June 2021. Herein, we describe the epidemiological characteristics of this outbreak and evaluate the implemented containment measures against this outbreak. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention provided the data on SARS-CoV-2 infections reported between 21 May and 24 June 2021. We estimated the incubation period distribution by fitting a gamma distribution to the data, while the serial interval distribution was estimated by fitting a normal distribution. The instantaneous effective reproductive number (Rt) was estimated to reflect the transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2. Clinical severity was compared for cases with different vaccination statuses using an ordinal regression model after controlling for age. Of the reported local cases, 7/153 (4.6%) were asymptomatic. The median incubation period was 6.02 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.42-6.71) days and the means of serial intervals decreased from 5.19 (95% CI: 4.29-6.11) to 3.78 (95% CI: 2.74-4.81) days. The incubation period increased with age (P<0.001). A hierarchical prevention and control strategy against COVID-19 was implemented in Guangzhou, with Rt decreasing from 6.83 (95% credible interval [CrI]: 3.98-10.44) for the 7-day time window ending on 27 May 2021 to below 1 for the time window ending on 8 June and thereafter. Individuals with partial or full vaccination schedules with BBIBP-CorV or CoronaVac accounted for 15.3% of the COVID-19 cases. Clinical symptoms were milder in partially or fully vaccinated cases than in unvaccinated cases (odds ratio [OR] = 0.26 [95% CI: 0.07-0.94]). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The hierarchical prevention and control strategy against COVID-19 in Guangzhou was timely and effective. Authorised inactivated vaccines are likely to contribute to reducing the probability of developing severe disease. Our findings have important implications for the containment of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Biostatistics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Gang Han
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peng-Zhe Qin
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wen-Hui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Biostatistics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhou Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Biostatistics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zong-Qiu Chen
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ke Li
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chao-Jun Xie
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Ma
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yong Huang
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shu-Jun Fan
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ze-Lin Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Biostatistics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chun-Quan Ou
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Biostatistics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lei Luo
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, China
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156
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Modes de transmission du SARS-CoV-2 : que sait-on actuellement ? M�DECINE ET MALADIES INFECTIEUSES FORMATION 2022. [PMCID: PMC8815781 DOI: 10.1016/j.mmifmc.2021.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Des progrès remarquables ont été obtenus dans notre compréhension de la transmission du SARS-CoV-2 et la réduction de sa propagation. La prise en compte du risque majeur des formes asymptomatiques par le port universel du masque est une de ces avancées. Les données épidémiologiques (taux d'attaque et R0) ainsi que l'accumulation de données en contexte clinique suggèrent une similitude de transmission du SARS-CoV-2 avec celle des autres virus respiratoires comme la grippe ou le SARS-CoV-1, un mode de transmission principal direct de personne à personne, à courte distance par les gouttelettes. La transmission aéroportée est possible mais rare, et ne semble se produire que dans des circonstances opportunistes, notamment lors de procédures médicales sur la sphère respiratoire de patients infectés, ou dans des conditions d'excrétion virale élevée en zone confinée mal ventilée. L'hygiène des mains et le port du masque sont les deux armes essentielles de prévention dans le contexte de la COVID-19.
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157
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Adla K, Dejan K, Neira D, Dragana Š. Degradation of ecosystems and loss of ecosystem services. One Health 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-822794-7.00008-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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158
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Pan L, Wang J, Wang X, Ji JS, Ye D, Shen J, Li L, Liu H, Zhang L, Shi X, Wang L. Prevention and control of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in public places. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 292:118273. [PMID: 34634404 PMCID: PMC8498926 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Public places favor the transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) due to dense population, large personal mobility, and higher contact opportunities. In order to protect the health of general public in operating public places during COVID-19 pandemic, this study proposed general precautions and control strategies from perspective of operation management, social distancing, cleaning and disinfection, and personal protection. In addition, with regard of risk level, specific precautions and control strategies were proposed for living service places, outdoor places, and confined places. The comprehensive application of above recommendations could effectively interrupt the spread of COVID-19, and protect the health of general public in public places. This study proposed general and specific precautions and control strategies in public places during COVID-19, and suggested further improvement of pandemic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Pan
- National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, China
| | - Jiao Wang
- National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, China
| | - Xianliang Wang
- National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, China
| | - John S Ji
- Environmental Research Center, Duke Kunshan University, Kunshan, Jiangsu, 215316, China; Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Dan Ye
- National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, China
| | - Jin Shen
- National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, China
| | - Li Li
- National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, China
| | - Hang Liu
- National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, China
| | - Liubo Zhang
- National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, China
| | - Xiaoming Shi
- National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, China
| | - Lin Wang
- National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, China.
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159
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Junaedi A, Ong KIC, Rachmatullah F, Shibanuma A, Kiriya J, Jimba M. Factors influencing physical distancing compliance among young adults during COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia: A photovoice mixed methods study. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 2:e0000035. [PMID: 36962270 PMCID: PMC10021510 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The spreading of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is growing out of control in Indonesia since the first two confirmed cases were announced in March 2020. Physical distancing measures are key to slowing down COVID-19 transmission. This study investigated factors associated with physical distancing compliance among young adults in the Jakarta Metropolitan Area, Indonesia. A convergent photovoice mixed methods design was used. Quantitatively, using data from 330 young adults in Jakarta Metropolitan Area, Indonesia, physical distancing compliance scores and its associated factors were analyzed with hierarchical linear regression. Responses from 18 young adults in online focus group discussions and 29 young adults in photovoice were analyzed with thematic analysis. Then, the findings were integrated using joint displays. The mean compliance score of young adults was 23.2 out of 27.0. The physical distancing compliance score was higher among those who worked or studied from home (β = 0.14, p <0.05), compared with those who resumed work at an office or study at school. Celebrating religious days (β = -0.15, p <0.05) and having hometown in the Jakarta Metropolitan Area (β = -0.12, p <0.05) were negatively associated with higher physical distancing compliance scores. Joint displays expanded the reasons for workplace policy, awareness, and social pressure as facilitators and barriers to compliance. Young adults' physical distancing compliance scores were high, but they are at risk of not complying due to religious events and changes in workplace policies. Beyond individual efforts, external factors, such as workplace policies and social pressure, play a major role to influence their physical distancing compliance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Junaedi
- Department of Community and Global Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ken Ing Cherng Ong
- Department of Community and Global Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Fauzan Rachmatullah
- School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield City Centre, United Kingdom
| | - Akira Shibanuma
- Department of Community and Global Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Junko Kiriya
- Department of Community and Global Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masamine Jimba
- Department of Community and Global Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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160
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Shi N, Huang J, Ai J, Wang Q, Cui T, Yang L, Ji H, Bao C, Jin H. Transmissibility and Pathogenicity of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Secondary Attack Rate and Asymptomatic Infection. J Infect Public Health 2022; 15:297-306. [PMID: 35123279 PMCID: PMC8801962 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2022.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Naiyang Shi
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Jinxin Huang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Jing Ai
- Jiangsu Center of Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Tingting Cui
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Liuqing Yang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Hong Ji
- Jiangsu Center of Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Changjun Bao
- Jiangsu Center of Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Hui Jin
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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161
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Faulkner CA, Castellini JE, Zuo W, Lorenzetti DM, Sohn MD. Investigation of HVAC operation strategies for office buildings during COVID-19 pandemic. BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT 2022; 207:108519. [PMID: 34785853 PMCID: PMC8588650 DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.108519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
To minimize the indoor transmission of contaminants, such as the virus that can lead to COVID-19, buildings must provide the best indoor air quality possible. Improving indoor air quality can be achieved through the building's HVAC system to decrease any concentration of indoor contaminants by dilution and/or by source removal. However, doing so has practical downsides on the HVAC operation that are not always quantified in the literature. This paper develops a temporal simulation capability that is used to investigate the indoor virus concentration and operational cost of an HVAC system for two mitigation strategies: (1) supplying 100% outdoor air into the building and (2) using different HVAC filters, including MERV 10, MERV 13, and HEPA filters. These strategies are applied to a hypothetical medium office building consisting of five occupied zones and located in a cold and dry climate. We modeled the building using the Modelica Buildings library and developed new models for HVAC filtration and virus transmission to evaluate COVID-19 scenarios. We show that the ASHRAE-recommended MERV 13 filtration reduces the average virus concentration by about 10% when compared to MERV 10 filtration, with an increase in site energy consumption of about 3%. In contrast, the use of 100% outdoor air reduces the average indoor concentration by about an additional 1% compared to MERV 13 filtration, but significantly increases heating energy consumption. Use of HEPA filtration increases the average indoor concentration and energy consumption compared to MERV 13 filtration due to the high resistance of the HEPA filter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cary A Faulkner
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, UCB 427, Boulder, 80309, CO, USA
| | - John E Castellini
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, UCB 427, Boulder, 80309, CO, USA
| | - Wangda Zuo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, UCB 427, Boulder, 80309, CO, USA
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, UCB 428, Boulder, 80309, CO, USA
- National Renewable Energy National Laboratory, Golden, 80401, CO, USA
| | - David M Lorenzetti
- Energy Analysis and Environmental Impacts Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, 94720, CA, USA
| | - Michael D Sohn
- Energy Analysis and Environmental Impacts Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, 94720, CA, USA
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162
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Impact of Covid-19 on the Hospitality Industry and Responding to Future Pandemic through Technological Innovation. PROCEDIA COMPUTER SCIENCE 2022; 204:844-853. [PMID: 36120408 PMCID: PMC9464297 DOI: 10.1016/j.procs.2022.08.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Covid-19 pandemic has severely affected the human lives and businesses around the world. Globally, the demand for hospitality services is at an all-time low due to borders closing and restricted movement in various countries. This article highlights the impact of Covid-19 on the hospitality industry, mainly hotels and restaurants. It further discusses ICT (Information and Communication Technology) and machine learning-based solutions for the current and future pandemics. The study has used the exploratory research method. It has referred to the existing theoretical and empirical findings in the hospitality establishment with regard to the Covid-19 impact.
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163
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Xu C, Liu W, Luo X, Huang X, Nielsen PV. Prediction and control of aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in ventilated context: from source to receptor. SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND SOCIETY 2022; 76:103416. [PMID: 34611508 PMCID: PMC8484231 DOI: 10.1016/j.scs.2021.103416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Global spread of COVID-19 has seriously threatened human life and health. The aerosol transmission route of SARS-CoV-2 is observed often associated with infection clusters under poorly ventilated environment. In the context of COVID-19 pandemic, significant transformation and optimization of traditional ventilation systems are needed. This paper is aimed to offer better understanding and insights into effective ventilation design to maximize its ability in airborne risk control, for particularly the COVID-19. Comprehensive reviews of each phase of aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from source to receptor are conducted, so as to provide a theoretical basis for risk prediction and control. Infection risk models and their key parameters for risk assessment of SARS-CoV-2 are analyzed. Special focus is given on the efficacy of different ventilation strategies in mitigating airborne transmission. Ventilation interventions are found mainly impacting on the dispersion and inhalation phases of aerosol transmission. The airflow patterns become a key factor in controlling the aerosol diffusion and distribution. Novel and personalized ventilation design, effective integration with other environmental control techniques and resilient HVAC system design to adapt both common and epidemic conditions are still remaining challenging, which need to be solved with the aid of multidisciplinary research and intelligent technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunwen Xu
- College of Pipeline and Civil Engineering, China University of Petroleum, Qingdao 266580, China
| | - Wenbing Liu
- College of Pipeline and Civil Engineering, China University of Petroleum, Qingdao 266580, China
| | - Xilian Luo
- School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Xingyu Huang
- School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Peter V Nielsen
- Division of Sustainability, Energy and Indoor Environment, Aalborg University, Aalborg 9000, Denmark
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164
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Bilal U, Gullón P, Padilla-Bernáldez J. [Epidemiologic evidence on the role of hospitality venues in the transmission of COVID-19: A rapid review of the literature]. GACETA SANITARIA 2022; 36:160-165. [PMID: 33933322 PMCID: PMC8030743 DOI: 10.1016/j.gaceta.2021.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To review the scientific epidemiologic evidence on the role of hospitality venues in the incidence or mortality from COVID-19. METHOD We included studies conducted in any population, describing either the impact of the closure or reopening of hospitality venues, or exposure to these venues, on the incidence or mortality from COVID-19. We used a snowball sampling approach with backward and forward citation search along with co-citations. RESULTS We found 20 articles examining the role of hospitality venues in the epidemiology of COVID-19. Modeling studies showed that interventions reducing social contacts in indoor venues can reduce COVID-19 transmission. Studies using statistical models showed similar results, including that the closure of hospitality venues is amongst the most effective measures in reducing incidence or mortality. Case studies highlighted the role of hospitality venues in generating super-spreading events, along with the importance of airflow and ventilation inside these venues. CONCLUSIONS We found consistent results across studies showing that the closure of hospitality venues is amongst the most effective measures to reduce the impact of COVID-19. We also found support for measures limiting capacity and improving ventilation to consider during the re-opening of these venues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Usama Bilal
- Urban Health Collaborative, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Colectivo Silesia, España.
| | - Pedro Gullón
- Colectivo Silesia, España,Grupo de Investigación en Salud Pública y Epidemiología, Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares (Madrid), España
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165
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Thornton GM, Fleck BA, Kroeker E, Dandnayak D, Fleck N, Zhong L, Hartling L. The impact of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning design features on the transmission of viruses, including the 2019 novel coronavirus: A systematic review of ventilation and coronavirus. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 2:e0000552. [PMID: 36962357 PMCID: PMC10021902 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Aerosol transmission has been a pathway for the spread of many viruses. Similarly, emerging evidence has determined aerosol transmission for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the resulting COVID-19 pandemic to be significant. As such, data regarding the effect of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) features to control and mitigate virus transmission is essential. A systematic review was conducted to identify and comprehensively synthesize research examining the effectiveness of ventilation for mitigating transmission of coronaviruses. A comprehensive search was conducted in Ovid MEDLINE, Compendex, Web of Science Core to January 2021. Study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessments were performed by two authors. Evidence tables were developed and results were described narratively. Results from 32 relevant studies showed that: increased ventilation rate was associated with decreased transmission, transmission probability/risk, infection probability/risk, droplet persistence, virus concentration, and increased virus removal and virus particle removal efficiency; increased ventilation rate decreased risk at longer exposure times; some ventilation was better than no ventilation; airflow patterns affected transmission; ventilation feature (e.g., supply/exhaust, fans) placement influenced particle distribution. Few studies provided specific quantitative ventilation parameters suggesting a significant gap in current research. Adapting HVAC ventilation systems to mitigate virus transmission is not a one-solution-fits-all approach. Changing ventilation rate or using mixing ventilation is not always the only way to mitigate and control viruses. Practitioners need to consider occupancy, ventilation feature (supply/exhaust and fans) placement, and exposure time in conjunction with both ventilation rates and airflow patterns. Some recommendations based on quantitative data were made for specific scenarios (e.g., using air change rate of 9 h-1 for a hospital ward). Other recommendations included using or increasing ventilation, introducing fresh air, using maximum supply rates, avoiding poorly ventilated spaces, assessing fan placement and potentially increasing ventilation locations, and employing ventilation testing and air balancing checks. Trial registration: PROSPERO 2020 CRD42020193968.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gail M Thornton
- Faculty of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Brian A Fleck
- Faculty of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Emily Kroeker
- Faculty of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Dhyey Dandnayak
- Faculty of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Natalie Fleck
- Faculty of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Lexuan Zhong
- Faculty of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Lisa Hartling
- Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
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166
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Li H, Shankar SN, Witanachchi CT, Lednicky JA, Loeb JC, Alam MM, Fan ZH, Mohamed K, Boyette JA, Eiguren-Fernandez A, Wu CY. Environmental Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 in Two Restaurants from a Mid-scale City that Followed U.S. CDC Reopening Guidance. AEROSOL AND AIR QUALITY RESEARCH 2022; 22:210304. [PMID: 35024044 PMCID: PMC8752097 DOI: 10.4209/aaqr.210304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Since mask use and physical distancing are difficult to maintain when people dine indoors, restaurants are perceived as high risk for acquiring COVID-19. The air and environmental surfaces in two restaurants in a mid-scale city located in north central Florida that followed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reopening guidance were sampled three times from July 2020 to February 2021. Sixteen air samples were collected for 2 hours using air samplers, and 20 surface samples by using moistened swabs. The samples were analyzed by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 genomic RNA. A total of ~550 patrons dined in the restaurants during our samplings. SARS-CoV-2 genomic RNA was not detected in any of the air samples. One of the 20 surface samples (5%) was positive. That sample had been collected from a plastic tablecloth immediately after guests left the restaurant. Virus was not isolated in cell cultures inoculated with aliquots of the RT-PCR-positive sample. The likelihood that patrons and staff acquire SARS-CoV-2 infections may be low in restaurants in a mid-scale city that adopt CDC restaurant reopening guidelines, such as operation at 50% capacity so that tables can be spaced at least 6 feet apart, establishment of adequate mechanical ventilation, use of a face covering except while eating or drinking, and implementation of disinfection measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongwan Li
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, USA
| | | | | | - John A. Lednicky
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, University of Florida, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, USA
| | - Julia C. Loeb
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, University of Florida, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, USA
| | - Md. Mahbubul Alam
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, University of Florida, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, USA
| | - Z. Hugh Fan
- Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, USA
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, USA
| | - Karim Mohamed
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, USA
| | - Jessica A. Boyette
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, USA
| | | | - Chang-Yu Wu
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, USA
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167
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Singer BC, Zhao H, Preble CV, Delp WW, Pantelic J, Sohn MD, Kirchstetter TW. Measured influence of overhead HVAC on exposure to airborne contaminants from simulated speaking in a meeting and a classroom. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e12917. [PMID: 34477251 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Tracer gas experiments were conducted in a 158 m3 room with overhead supply diffusers to study dispersion of contaminants from simulated speaking in physically distanced meeting and classroom configurations. The room was contained within a 237 m3 cell with open plenum return to the HVAC system. Heated manikins at desks and a researcher operating the tracer release apparatus presented 8-9 thermal plumes. Experiments were conducted under conditions of no forced air and neutral, cooled, or heated air supplied at 980-1100 cmh, and with/out 20% outdoor air. CO2 was released at the head of one manikin in each experiment to simulate small (<5 µm diameter) respiratory aerosols. The metric of exposure relative to perfectly mixed (ERM) is introduced to quantify impacts, based on measurements at manikin heads and at three heights in the center and corners of the room. Chilled or neutral supply air provided good mixing with ERMs close to one. Thermal stratification during heating produced higher ERMs at most manikins: 25% were ≥2.5 and the highest were >5× perfectly mixed conditions. Operation of two within-zone air cleaners together moving ≥400 cmh vertically in the room provided enough mixing to mitigate elevated exposure variations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett C Singer
- Indoor Environment Group, Energy Analysis and Environmental Impacts Division, Building Technologies and Urban Systems Division, Energy Technologies Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Haoran Zhao
- Indoor Environment Group, Energy Analysis and Environmental Impacts Division, Building Technologies and Urban Systems Division, Energy Technologies Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Chelsea V Preble
- Indoor Environment Group, Energy Analysis and Environmental Impacts Division, Building Technologies and Urban Systems Division, Energy Technologies Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - William W Delp
- Indoor Environment Group, Energy Analysis and Environmental Impacts Division, Building Technologies and Urban Systems Division, Energy Technologies Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Jovan Pantelic
- Indoor Environment Group, Energy Analysis and Environmental Impacts Division, Building Technologies and Urban Systems Division, Energy Technologies Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
- Center for the Built Environment, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Michael D Sohn
- Indoor Environment Group, Energy Analysis and Environmental Impacts Division, Building Technologies and Urban Systems Division, Energy Technologies Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Thomas W Kirchstetter
- Indoor Environment Group, Energy Analysis and Environmental Impacts Division, Building Technologies and Urban Systems Division, Energy Technologies Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
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168
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Koch L, Nespoulous O, Turc J, Linard C, Martigne P, Beaussac M, Murris S, Ferraris O, Grandadam M, Frenois-Veyrat G, Lopes AA, Boutonnet M, Biot F. Risk Analysis by Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality Analysis and Biosafety Management During Collective Air Medical Evacuation of Critically Ill Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients. Air Med J 2022; 41:88-95. [PMID: 35248351 PMCID: PMC8529270 DOI: 10.1016/j.amj.2021.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
In March 2020, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused an overwhelming pandemic. To relieve overloaded intensive care units in the most affected regions, the French Ministry of Defence triggered collective air medical evacuations (medevacs) on board an Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport of the French Air Force. Such a collective air medevac is a big challenge regarding biosafety; until now, only evacuations of a single symptomatic patient with an emergent communicable disease, such as Ebola virus disease, have been conducted. However, the COVID-19 pandemic required collective medevacs for critically ill patients and involved a virus that little is known about still. Thus, we performed a complete risk analysis using a process map and FMECA (Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality Analysis) to assess the risk and implement mitigation measures for health workers, flight crew, and the environment. We report the biosafety management experienced during 6 flights with a total of 36 critically ill COVID-19-positive patients transferred with no casualties while preserving both staffs and aircraft.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lionel Koch
- Bacteriology Unit, French Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute, Paris, France.
| | - Olivier Nespoulous
- Aeromedical Research and Training Unit, French Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute, Paris, France
| | - Jean Turc
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Unit, Military Teaching Hospital, Lyon, France; Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Unit, Edouard Herriot Hospital, Lyon, France
| | - Cyril Linard
- Analytics Developments and Bioanalysis Unit, French Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute, Paris, France
| | - Patrick Martigne
- Radiobiology Unit, French Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Olivier Ferraris
- Virology Unit, French Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute, Paris, France
| | - Marc Grandadam
- Virology Unit, French Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute, Paris, France
| | | | - Anne-Aurélie Lopes
- Pediatric Emergency Department, AP-HP, Robert Debre Hospital, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Mathieu Boutonnet
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Unit, Military Teaching Hospital Percy, Clamart, France; Val-de-Grâce Military Medicine Academy, Paris, France
| | - Fabrice Biot
- Bacteriology Unit, French Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute, Paris, France
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169
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Senan A, Tarek MOR, Amit S, Rahman I, Kafy AA. Re-opening the Bangladesh economy: search for a framework using a riskimportance space. SPATIAL INFORMATION RESEARCH 2022; 30:539-549. [PMCID: PMC9111952 DOI: 10.1007/s41324-022-00450-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The novel coronavirus has infected more than 50 million people worldwide. Countries that have been on lockdown for more than three months have partially started to reopen their economies, including Bangladesh. This study aims to assess the reopening policies in Bangladesh by mapping the economic sectors in a risk-importance space and using that to develop a phased reopening strategy. This study conducted 100 expert interviews to identify sectors critical to the reopening of the economy and sectors that carry high transmission risks of the disease. The convenience sampling and snowball method were applied to reach the economic sector experts. Quadrant analysis was applied to classify sectors according to their importance to the economy and propensity to spread the disease. Pharmaceuticals and grocery have been identified as allowed sectors due to their contribution to the economy but pose relatively less risk of spreading COVID-19, whereas RMG and other exports identify as alert sectors. Based on findings, a sector-based, three-phase reopening strategy has been proposed for the economy that might prevent the spreading of COVID-19. The proposed framework can act as a guiding principle for any country to offer a step by step reopening strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahsan Senan
- Department of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md Oliur Rahman Tarek
- Center for Enterprise and Society, University of Liberal Arts of Bangladesh (ULAB), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Sajid Amit
- Center for Enterprise and Society, University of Liberal Arts of Bangladesh (ULAB), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Imran Rahman
- Board of Trustees, University of Liberal Arts of Bangladesh (ULAB), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Abdulla - Al Kafy
- ICLEI South Asia, Rajshahi City Corporation, 6203 Rajshahi, Bangladesh
- Department of Urban & Regional Planning, Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology (RUET), 6204 Rajshahi, Bangladesh
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170
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Kriegel M, Hartmann A, Buchholz U, Seifried J, Baumgarte S, Gastmeier P. SARS-CoV-2 Aerosol Transmission Indoors: A Closer Look at Viral Load, Infectivity, the Effectiveness of Preventive Measures and a Simple Approach for Practical Recommendations. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 19:220. [PMID: 35010484 PMCID: PMC8750733 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
There is uncertainty about the viral loads of infectious individuals required to transmit COVID-19 via aerosol. In addition, there is a lack of both quantification of the influencing parameters on airborne transmission and simple-to-use models for assessing the risk of infection in practice, which furthermore quantify the influence of non-medical preventive measures. In this study, a dose-response model was adopted to analyze 25 documented outbreaks at infection rates of 4-100%. We show that infection was only possible if the viral load was higher than 108 viral copies/mL. Based on mathematical simplifications of our approach to predict the probable situational attack rate (PARs) of a group of persons in a room, and valid assumptions, we provide simplified equations to calculate, among others, the maximum possible number of persons and the person-related virus-free air supply flow necessary to keep the number of newly infected persons to less than one. A comparison of different preventive measures revealed that testing contributes the most to the joint protective effect, besides wearing masks and increasing ventilation. In addition, we conclude that absolute volume flow rate or person-related volume flow rate are more intuitive parameters for evaluating ventilation for infection prevention than air exchange rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Kriegel
- Hermann-Rietschel-Institut, Technical University of Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Anne Hartmann
- Hermann-Rietschel-Institut, Technical University of Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Udo Buchholz
- Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (U.B.); (J.S.)
| | - Janna Seifried
- Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (U.B.); (J.S.)
| | | | - Petra Gastmeier
- Institute for Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, 12203 Berlin, Germany;
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171
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Coyle JP, Derk RC, Lindsley WG, Blachere FM, Boots T, Lemons AR, Martin SB, Mead KR, Fotta SA, Reynolds JS, McKinney WG, Sinsel EW, Beezhold DH, Noti JD. Efficacy of Ventilation, HEPA Air Cleaners, Universal Masking, and Physical Distancing for Reducing Exposure to Simulated Exhaled Aerosols in a Meeting Room. Viruses 2021; 13:2536. [PMID: 34960804 PMCID: PMC8707272 DOI: 10.3390/v13122536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
There is strong evidence associating the indoor environment with transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 can spread by exposure to droplets and very fine aerosol particles from respiratory fluids that are released by infected persons. Layered mitigation strategies, including but not limited to maintaining physical distancing, adequate ventilation, universal masking, avoiding overcrowding, and vaccination, have shown to be effective in reducing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 within the indoor environment. Here, we examine the effect of mitigation strategies on reducing the risk of exposure to simulated respiratory aerosol particles within a classroom-style meeting room. To quantify exposure of uninfected individuals (Recipients), surrogate respiratory aerosol particles were generated by a breathing simulator with a headform (Source) that mimicked breath exhalations. Recipients, represented by three breathing simulators with manikin headforms, were placed in a meeting room and affixed with optical particle counters to measure 0.3-3 µm aerosol particles. Universal masking of all breathing simulators with a 3-ply cotton mask reduced aerosol exposure by 50% or more compared to scenarios with simulators unmasked. While evaluating the effect of Source placement, Recipients had the highest exposure at 0.9 m in a face-to-face orientation. Ventilation reduced exposure by approximately 5% per unit increase in air change per hour (ACH), irrespective of whether increases in ACH were by the HVAC system or portable HEPA air cleaners. The results demonstrate that mitigation strategies, such as universal masking and increasing ventilation, reduce personal exposure to respiratory aerosols within a meeting room. While universal masking remains a key component of a layered mitigation strategy of exposure reduction, increasing ventilation via system HVAC or portable HEPA air cleaners further reduces exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayme P. Coyle
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA; (J.P.C.); (R.C.D.); (F.M.B.); (T.B.); (A.R.L.); (J.S.R.); (W.G.M.); (E.W.S.); (D.H.B.); (J.D.N.)
| | - Raymond C. Derk
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA; (J.P.C.); (R.C.D.); (F.M.B.); (T.B.); (A.R.L.); (J.S.R.); (W.G.M.); (E.W.S.); (D.H.B.); (J.D.N.)
| | - William G. Lindsley
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA; (J.P.C.); (R.C.D.); (F.M.B.); (T.B.); (A.R.L.); (J.S.R.); (W.G.M.); (E.W.S.); (D.H.B.); (J.D.N.)
| | - Francoise M. Blachere
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA; (J.P.C.); (R.C.D.); (F.M.B.); (T.B.); (A.R.L.); (J.S.R.); (W.G.M.); (E.W.S.); (D.H.B.); (J.D.N.)
| | - Theresa Boots
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA; (J.P.C.); (R.C.D.); (F.M.B.); (T.B.); (A.R.L.); (J.S.R.); (W.G.M.); (E.W.S.); (D.H.B.); (J.D.N.)
| | - Angela R. Lemons
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA; (J.P.C.); (R.C.D.); (F.M.B.); (T.B.); (A.R.L.); (J.S.R.); (W.G.M.); (E.W.S.); (D.H.B.); (J.D.N.)
| | - Stephen B. Martin
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA;
| | - Kenneth R. Mead
- Division of Field Studies and Engineering, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA;
| | - Steven A. Fotta
- Facilities Management Office, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA;
| | - Jeffrey S. Reynolds
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA; (J.P.C.); (R.C.D.); (F.M.B.); (T.B.); (A.R.L.); (J.S.R.); (W.G.M.); (E.W.S.); (D.H.B.); (J.D.N.)
| | - Walter G. McKinney
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA; (J.P.C.); (R.C.D.); (F.M.B.); (T.B.); (A.R.L.); (J.S.R.); (W.G.M.); (E.W.S.); (D.H.B.); (J.D.N.)
| | - Erik W. Sinsel
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA; (J.P.C.); (R.C.D.); (F.M.B.); (T.B.); (A.R.L.); (J.S.R.); (W.G.M.); (E.W.S.); (D.H.B.); (J.D.N.)
| | - Donald H. Beezhold
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA; (J.P.C.); (R.C.D.); (F.M.B.); (T.B.); (A.R.L.); (J.S.R.); (W.G.M.); (E.W.S.); (D.H.B.); (J.D.N.)
| | - John D. Noti
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA; (J.P.C.); (R.C.D.); (F.M.B.); (T.B.); (A.R.L.); (J.S.R.); (W.G.M.); (E.W.S.); (D.H.B.); (J.D.N.)
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172
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Adam MG, Tran PTM, Balasubramanian R. Air quality changes in cities during the COVID-19 lockdown: A critical review. ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH 2021; 264:105823. [PMID: 34456403 PMCID: PMC8384485 DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosres.2021.105823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
In response to the rapid spread of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) within and across countries and the need to protect public health, governments worldwide introduced unprecedented measures such as restricted road and air travel and reduced human mobility in 2020. The curtailment of personal travel and economic activity provided a unique opportunity for researchers to assess the interplay between anthropogenic emissions of primary air pollutants, their physical transport, chemical transformation, ultimate fate and potential health impacts. In general, reductions in the atmospheric levels of outdoor air pollutants such as particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were observed in many countries during the lockdowns. However, the levels of ozone (O3), a secondary air pollutant linked to asthma and respiratory ailments, and secondary PM were frequently reported to remain unchanged or even increase. An increase in O3 can enhance the formation of secondary PM2.5, especially secondary organic aerosols, through the atmospheric oxidation of VOCs. Given that the gaseous precursors of O3 (VOCs and NOx) are also involved in the formation of secondary PM2.5, an integrated control strategy should focus on reducing the emission of the common precursors for the co-mitigation of PM2.5 and O3 with an emphasis on their complex photochemical interactions. Compared to outdoor air quality, comprehensive investigations of indoor air quality (IAQ) are relatively sparse. People spend more than 80% of their time indoors with exposure to air pollutants of both outdoor and indoor origins. Consequently, an integrated assessment of exposure to air pollutants in both outdoor and indoor microenvironments is needed for effective urban air quality management and for mitigation of health risk. To provide further insights into air quality, we do a critical review of scientific articles, published from January 2020 to December 2020 across the globe. Finally, we discuss policy implications of our review in the context of global air quality improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max G Adam
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117576, Singapore
| | - Phuong T M Tran
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117576, Singapore
- Faculty of Environment, University of Science and Technology, The University of Danang, 54 Nguyen Luong Bang Street, Lien Chieu District, Danang City, Viet Nam
| | - Rajasekhar Balasubramanian
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117576, Singapore
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Liu W, Liu L, Xu C, Fu L, Wang Y, Nielsen PV, Zhang C. Exploring the potentials of personalized ventilation in mitigating airborne infection risk for two closely ranged occupants with different risk assessment models. ENERGY AND BUILDINGS 2021; 253:111531. [PMID: 34611376 PMCID: PMC8483985 DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2021.111531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
In the context of COVID-19, new requirements are occurring in ventilation systems to mitigate airborne transmission risk in indoor environment. Personalized ventilation (PV) which directly delivers clean air to the occupant's breathing zone is considered as a promising solution. To explore the potentials of PV in preventing the spread of infectious aerosols between closely ranged occupants, experiments were conducted with two breathing thermal manikins with three different relative orientations. Nebulized aerosols were used to mimic exhaled droplets transmitted between the occupants. Four risk assessment models were applied to evaluate the exposure or infection risk affected by PV with different operation modes. Results show that PV was effective in reducing the user's infection risk compared with mixing ventilation alone. Relative orientations and operation modes of PV significantly affected its performance in airborne risk control. The infection risk of SARS-CoV-2 was reduced by 65% with PV of 9 L/s after an exposure duration of 2 h back-to-back as assessed by the dose-response model, indicating effective protection effect of PV against airborne transmission. While the side-by-side orientation was found to be the most critical condition for PV in airborne risk control as it would accelerate diffusion of infectious droplets in lateral diffusion to occupants by side. Optimal designs of PV for closely ranged occupants were hereby discussed. The four risk assessment models were compared and validated by experiments with PV, implying basically consistent rules of the predicted risk with PV among the four models. The relevance and applicability of these models were discussed to provide a basis for risk assessment with non-uniformly distributed pathogens indoor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbing Liu
- College of Pipeline and Civil Engineering, China University of Petroleum, Qingdao 266580, China
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Building Science, School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- State Key Laboratory of Green Building in Western China, Xian University of Architecture & Technology, Xi'an 710055, China
- Laboratory of Eco-Planning & Green Building, Ministry of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Chunwen Xu
- College of Pipeline and Civil Engineering, China University of Petroleum, Qingdao 266580, China
| | - Linzhi Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Green Building in Western China, Xian University of Architecture & Technology, Xi'an 710055, China
| | - Yi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Green Building in Western China, Xian University of Architecture & Technology, Xi'an 710055, China
| | - Peter V Nielsen
- Division of Sustainability, Energy and Indoor Environment, Aalborg University, Aalborg 9000, Denmark
| | - Chen Zhang
- Division of Sustainability, Energy and Indoor Environment, Aalborg University, Aalborg 9000, Denmark
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174
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Yinda CK, Port JR, Bushmaker T, Fischer RJ, Schulz JE, Holbrook MG, Shaia C, de Wit E, van Doremalen N, Munster VJ. Prior aerosol infection with lineage A SARS-CoV-2 variant protects hamsters from disease, but not reinfection with B.1.351 SARS-CoV-2 variant. Emerg Microbes Infect 2021; 10:1284-1292. [PMID: 34120579 PMCID: PMC8238069 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2021.1943539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The circulation of SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in the emergence of variants of concern (VOCs). It is currently unclear whether the previous infection with SARS-CoV-2 provides protection against reinfection with VOCs. Here, we show that low dose aerosol exposure to hCoV-19/human/USA/WA-CDC-WA1/2020 (WA1, lineage A), resulted in a productive mild infection. In contrast, a low dose of SARS-CoV-2 via fomites did not result in productive infection in the majority of exposed hamsters and these animals remained non-seroconverted. After recovery, hamsters were re-exposed to hCoV-19/South African/KRISP-K005325/2020 (VOC B.1.351) via an intranasal challenge. Seroconverted rechallenged animals did not lose weight and shed virus for three days. They had a little infectious virus and no pathology in the lungs. In contrast, shedding, weight loss and extensive pulmonary pathology caused by B.1.351 replication were observed in the non-seroconverted animals. The rechallenged seroconverted animals did not transmit the virus to naïve sentinels via direct contact transmission, in contrast to the non-seroconverted animals. Reinfection with B.1.351 triggered an anamnestic response that boosted not only neutralizing titres against lineage A, but also titres against B.1.351. Our results confirm that aerosol exposure is a more efficient infection route than fomite exposure. Furthermore, initial infection with SARS-CoV-2 lineage A does not prevent heterologous reinfection with B.1.351 but prevents disease and onward transmission. These data suggest that previous SARS-CoV-2 exposure induces partial protective immunity. The reinfection generated a broadly neutralizing humoral response capable of effectively neutralizing B.1.351 while maintaining its ability to neutralize the virus to which the initial response was directed against.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claude Kwe Yinda
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Julia R. Port
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Trenton Bushmaker
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Robert J. Fischer
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Jonathan E. Schulz
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Myndi G. Holbrook
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Carl Shaia
- Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Emmie de Wit
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Neeltje van Doremalen
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Vincent J. Munster
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
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175
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Delgado-Sánchez S, Serrano-Ortiz Á, Ruiz-Montero R, Lorusso N, Rumbao-Aguirre JM, Salcedo-Leal I. Impact of the first superspreading outbreak of COVID-19 related to a nightlife establishment in Andalusia, Spain. J Healthc Qual Res 2021; 37:216-224. [PMID: 35074295 PMCID: PMC8714293 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhqr.2021.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND AIM OF THE STUDY A notable proportion of COVID outbreaks are generated by "super-spreading events", where a few subjects transmit the pathogen to many secondary cases, increasing contact networks and the spread of the pathogen. We conducted a description of a COVID-19 superspreading event in Córdoba during July 2020, linked to a nightlife establishment. MATERIAL AND METHODS Retrospective observational study describing characteristics of person, time, PCR result and contact network of confirmed cases. PCR results in Córdoba during July and August and information collected in surveillance systems were analyzed. RESULTS 935 individuals associated with the outbreak were included; 120 (12.83%) became confirmed cases. July 17 was the day with the highest incidence, with 27 new cases (22.5% of the total). People under 25 years old represented 69.2% of the cases. The average number of close contacts per person was 10.7, with a decrease as age raised. During the outbreak, incidence increased at the provincial level compared to previous weeks; at the end, incidence did not return to initial values but remained high with a relevant percentage of cases having unknown epidemiological association. CONCLUSIONS A greater transmission capacity of SARS-CoV-2 was observed in a closed, crowded space, and among young people that tended to report a greater number of social contacts and may present little or no symptoms. Developing preventive measures in scenarios that combine these factors and early detection of cases are essential to avoid an increase in the spread of the virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Delgado-Sánchez
- Departamento de Ciencias Médicas y Quirúrgicas, Facultad de Medicina y Enfermería, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Á Serrano-Ortiz
- Grupo de Investigación de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain; Unidad de Gestión Clínica Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública Interniveles, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, Spain
| | - R Ruiz-Montero
- Grupo de Investigación de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain; Unidad de Gestión Clínica Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública Interniveles, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, Spain.
| | - N Lorusso
- Grupo de Investigación de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain; Dirección General de Salud Pública y Ordenación Farmacéutica, Consejería de Salud y Familias, Sevilla, Spain
| | - J M Rumbao-Aguirre
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Pediatría, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, Spain
| | - I Salcedo-Leal
- Departamento de Ciencias Médicas y Quirúrgicas, Facultad de Medicina y Enfermería, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain; Grupo de Investigación de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain; Unidad de Gestión Clínica Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública Interniveles, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, Spain
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176
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Chu LF, Kurup V. Graduate medical education in anaesthesiology and COVID-19: lessons learned from a global pandemic. Curr Opin Anaesthesiol 2021; 34:726-734. [PMID: 34608056 PMCID: PMC8577310 DOI: 10.1097/aco.0000000000001065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The recent global pandemic has dramatically altered the anaesthesiology educational landscape in unexpected ways. It is important that we pause to learn from this crisis. RECENT FINDINGS Most resident trainees actively caring for COVID-19 patients present with probable or subclinical finding of post-traumatic stress disorder. Anaesthesia resident training programmes evolved to continue the mission of anaesthesia education in the face of institutional restrictions and evolving clinical crises. SUMMARY The recent global COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated how external stressors can cause significant disruption to traditional medical education pathways. Resilience to external disruptive forces in anaesthesia education include a willingness of leadership to understand the problem, flexibility in adapting to the needs of learners and instructors in the face of key challenges, deployment of technology and innovation-minded solution-finding where appropriate, and attention to Maslow's hierarchy of needs. VIDEO ABSTRACT http://links.lww.com/COAN/A77.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larry F. Chu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Stanford Anesthesia Informatics and Media (AIM) Lab, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto California
| | - Viji Kurup
- Department of Anesthesiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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177
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Klompas M, Milton DK, Rhee C, Baker MA, Leekha S. Current Insights Into Respiratory Virus Transmission and Potential Implications for Infection Control Programs : A Narrative Review. Ann Intern Med 2021; 174:1710-1718. [PMID: 34748374 DOI: 10.7326/m21-2780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Policies to prevent respiratory virus transmission in health care settings have traditionally divided organisms into Droplet versus Airborne categories. Droplet organisms (for example, influenza) are said to be transmitted via large respiratory secretions that rapidly fall to the ground within 1 to 2 meters and are adequately blocked by surgical masks. Airborne pathogens (for example, measles), by contrast, are transmitted by aerosols that are small enough and light enough to carry beyond 2 meters and to penetrate the gaps between masks and faces; health care workers are advised to wear N95 respirators and to place these patients in negative-pressure rooms. Respirators and negative-pressure rooms are also recommended when caring for patients with influenza or SARS-CoV-2 who are undergoing "aerosol-generating procedures," such as intubation. An increasing body of evidence, however, questions this framework. People routinely emit respiratory particles in a range of sizes, but most are aerosols, and most procedures do not generate meaningfully more aerosols than ordinary breathing, and far fewer than coughing, exercise, or labored breathing. Most transmission nonetheless occurs at close range because virus-laden aerosols are most concentrated at the source; they then diffuse and dilute with distance, making long-distance transmission rare in well-ventilated spaces. The primary risk factors for nosocomial transmission are community incidence rates, viral load, symptoms, proximity, duration of exposure, and poor ventilation. Failure to appreciate these factors may lead to underappreciation of some risks (for example, overestimation of the protection provided by medical masks, insufficient attention to ventilation) or misallocation of limited resources (for example, reserving N95 respirators and negative-pressure rooms only for aerosol-generating procedures or requiring negative-pressure rooms for all patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection regardless of stage of illness). Enhanced understanding of the factors governing respiratory pathogen transmission may inform the development of more effective policies to prevent nosocomial transmission of respiratory pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Klompas
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, and Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts (M.K., C.R., M.A.B.)
| | - Donald K Milton
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland (D.K.M.)
| | - Chanu Rhee
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, and Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts (M.K., C.R., M.A.B.)
| | - Meghan A Baker
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, and Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts (M.K., C.R., M.A.B.)
| | - Surbhi Leekha
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland (S.L.)
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178
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Liu CHS, Chou SF, Lin JY. Implementation and evaluation of tourism industry: Evidentiary case study of night market development in Taiwan. EVALUATION AND PROGRAM PLANNING 2021; 89:101961. [PMID: 34140195 DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2021.101961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Taiwan's night markets are the most popular and unique characteristics of domestic and foreign tourists' night life and have great potential value for tourism development. However, development of the night market is vulnerable to the negative impact of COVID-19. To discover the potential value and evaluation of the night market, we interviewed 46 experts from several industries and occupations in Taiwan to investigate the relationships between brand equity, benefits, motivations of and satisfaction with night market tourism and development. The results show that travel motivation has both direct and indirect effects on brand equity, benefits and satisfaction. Furthermore, customer satisfaction is the most critical performance attribute of night market tourism, which may be influenced by brand equity, benefit, and motivation. Managerial implications and future research directions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Hsing Sam Liu
- Department of Tourism Management at National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan, ROC.
| | - Sheng-Fang Chou
- Department of Hospitality Management, Ming Chuan University, Taoyuan County, Taiwan, ROC.
| | - Jun-You Lin
- Department of Management and Information, National Open University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
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179
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Sarhan AR, Naser P, Naser J. COVID-19 aerodynamic evaluation of social distancing in indoor environments, a numerical study. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCE & ENGINEERING 2021; 19:1969-1978. [PMID: 34721881 PMCID: PMC8542656 DOI: 10.1007/s40201-021-00748-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Many countries worldwide have taken early measures to combat the spread of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 by implementing social distancing measures. The main aim of the present work is to examine the feasibility of social distancing (i.e. 1.5 m) in closed spaces taking into account the possibility for airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2. METHODS A 3D numerical model of human respiration activities, such as breathing and speaking within indoor environments has been simulated with CFD software AVL FIRE R2020. The Eulerian-Eulerian flow model coupled with k-Ɛ approach were employed. With regard to breathing mode, the infected individual is modelled to be breathing 10 times per minute with a pulmonary rate of 6 L/min with a sinusoidal cycle. The present investigation considered air and droplets/particles as separate phases. RESULTS The predicted results suggested that the social distancing (i.e. 1.5 m) is not adequate to reduce the risk of contracting diseases like COVID-19, especially when staying for a longer period in an indoor environment. The person directly facing the infected person inhaled more than 1000 aerosol droplets within 30 min. The results also showed approximately 65 % decrease in the number of inhaled droplets the room is well ventilated. CONCLUSIONS Within an indoor environment, 1.5 m distance will not be enough to protect the healthy individuals from the droplets coming from an infected person. Also, the situation may become worse with the change of the air ventilation system.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. R. Sarhan
- Department of Mechanical and Product Design Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122 Australia
| | - P. Naser
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
| | - J. Naser
- Department of Mechanical and Product Design Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122 Australia
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180
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Clouston SAP, Morozova O, Meliker JR. A wind speed threshold for increased outdoor transmission of coronavirus: an ecological study. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:1194. [PMID: 34837983 PMCID: PMC8626759 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06796-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To examine whether outdoor transmission may contribute to the COVID-19 epidemic, we hypothesized that slower outdoor wind speed is associated with increased risk of transmission when individuals socialize outside. METHODS Daily COVID-19 incidence reported in Suffolk County, NY, between March 16th and December 31st, 2020, was the outcome. Average wind speed and maximal daily temperature were collated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Negative binomial regression was used to model incidence rates while adjusting for susceptible population size. RESULTS Cases were very high in the initial wave but diminished once lockdown procedures were enacted. Most days between May 1st, 2020, and October 24th, 2020, had temperatures 16-28 °C and wind speed diminished slowly over the year and began to increase again in December 2020. Unadjusted and multivariable-adjusted analyses revealed that days with temperatures ranging between 16 and 28 °C where wind speed was < 8.85 km per hour (KPH) had increased COVID-19 incidence (aIRR = 1.45, 95% C.I. = [1.28-1.64], P < 0.001) as compared to days with average wind speed ≥ 8.85 KPH. CONCLUSION Throughout the U.S. epidemic, the role of outdoor shared spaces such as parks and beaches has been a topic of considerable interest. This study suggests that outdoor transmission of COVID-19 may occur by noting that the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in the summer was higher on days with low wind speed. Outdoor use of increased physical distance between individuals, improved air circulation, and use of masks may be helpful in some outdoor environments where airflow is limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean A P Clouston
- Program in Public Health, Health Sciences Center, Stony Brook University, #3-071, Nichols Rd., Stony Brook, NY, 11794-8338, USA.
- Department of Family, Population, and Preventive Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
| | - Olga Morozova
- Program in Public Health, Health Sciences Center, Stony Brook University, #3-071, Nichols Rd., Stony Brook, NY, 11794-8338, USA
- Department of Family, Population, and Preventive Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Jaymie R Meliker
- Program in Public Health, Health Sciences Center, Stony Brook University, #3-071, Nichols Rd., Stony Brook, NY, 11794-8338, USA
- Department of Family, Population, and Preventive Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY, USA
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181
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Salmenjoki H, Korhonen M, Puisto A, Vuorinen V, Alava MJ. Modelling aerosol-based exposure to SARS-CoV-2 by an agent based Monte Carlo method: Risk estimates in a shop and bar. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0260237. [PMID: 34807943 PMCID: PMC8608316 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Present day risk assessment on the spreading of airborne viruses is often based on the classical Wells-Riley model assuming immediate mixing of the aerosol into the studied environment. Here, we improve on this approach and the underlying assumptions by modeling the space-time dependency of the aerosol concentration via a transport equation with a dynamic source term introduced by the infected individual(s). In the present agent-based methodology, we study the viral aerosol inhalation exposure risk in two scenarios including a low/high risk scenario of a "supermarket"/"bar". The model takes into account typical behavioral patterns for determining the rules of motion for the agents. We solve a diffusion model for aerosol concentration in the prescribed environments in order to account for local exposure to aerosol inhalation. We assess the infection risk using the Wells-Riley model formula using a space-time dependent aerosol concentration. The results are compared against the classical Wells-Riley model. The results indicate features that explain individual cases of high risk with repeated sampling of a heterogeneous environment occupied by non-equilibrium concentration clouds. An example is the relative frequency of cases that might be called superspreading events depending on the model parameters. A simple interpretation is that averages of infection risk are often misleading. They also point out and explain the qualitative and quantitative difference between the two cases-shopping is typically safer for a single individual person.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marko Korhonen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland
| | - Antti Puisto
- Department of Applied Physics, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland
| | - Ville Vuorinen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland
| | - Mikko J. Alava
- Department of Applied Physics, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland
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182
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Horve PF, Dietz L, Northcutt D, Stenson J, Van Den Wymelenberg K. Evaluation of a bioaerosol sampler for indoor environmental surveillance of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0257689. [PMID: 34780482 PMCID: PMC8592464 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The worldwide spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has ubiquitously impacted many aspects of life. As vaccines continue to be manufactured and administered, limiting the spread of SARS-CoV-2 will rely more heavily on the early identification of contagious individuals occupying reopened and increasingly populated indoor environments. In this study, we investigated the utility of an impaction-based bioaerosol sampling system with multiple nucleic acid collection media. Heat-inactivated SARS-CoV-2 was utilized to perform bench-scale, short-range aerosol, and room-scale aerosol experiments. Through bench-scale experiments, AerosolSense Capture Media (ACM) and nylon flocked swabs were identified as the highest utility media. In room-scale aerosol experiments, consistent detection of aerosol SARS-CoV-2 was achieved at an estimated aerosol concentration equal to or greater than 0.089 genome copies per liter of room air (gc/L) when air was sampled for eight hours or more at less than one air change per hour (ACH). Shorter sampling periods (75 minutes) yielded consistent detection at ~31.8 gc/L of room air and intermittent detection down to ~0.318 gc/L at (at both 1 and 6 ACH). These results support further exploration in real-world testing scenarios and suggest the utility of indoor aerosol surveillance as an effective risk mitigation strategy in occupied buildings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Finn Horve
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States of America
| | - Leslie Dietz
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States of America
| | - Dale Northcutt
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States of America
- Energy Studies in Buildings Laboratory, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States of America
| | - Jason Stenson
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States of America
- Energy Studies in Buildings Laboratory, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States of America
| | - Kevin Van Den Wymelenberg
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States of America
- Energy Studies in Buildings Laboratory, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States of America
- Institute for Health and the Built Environment, University of Oregon, Portland, OR, United States of America
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183
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Holm-Jacobsen JN, Vonasek JH, Hagstrøm S, Donneborg ML, Sørensen S. Prolonged rectal shedding of SARS-CoV-2 in a 22-day-old-neonate: a case report. BMC Pediatr 2021; 21:506. [PMID: 34772377 PMCID: PMC8586617 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-021-02976-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is characterized by a diverse clinical picture. Children are often asymptomatic or experience mild symptoms and have a milder disease course compared to adults. Rectal shedding of SARS-CoV-2 has been observed in both adults and children, suggesting the fecal-oral route as a potential route of transmission. However, only a few studies have investigated this in neonates. We present a neonate with a mild disease course and prolonged rectal SARS-CoV-2 shedding. Case presentation A 22-day old neonate was admitted to the hospital with tachycardia and a family history of COVID-19. The boy later tested positive for COVID-19. His heart rate normalized overnight without intervention , but a grade 1/6 heart murmur on the left side of the sternum was found. After excluding signs of heart failure, the boy was discharged in a habitual state after three days of admission. During his admission, he was enrolled in a clinical study examining the rectal shedding of SARS-CoV-2. He was positive for SARS-CoV-2 in his pharyngeal swabs for 11 days after initial diagnosis and remained positive in his rectal swabs for 45 days. Thereby, the boy remained positive in his rectal swabs for 29 days after his first negative pharyngeal swab. Conclusions The presented case shows that neonates with a mild disease course can shed SARS-CoV-2 in the intestines for 45 days. In the current case, it was not possible to determine if fecal-oral transfer to the family occurred, and more research is needed to establish the potential risk of the fecal-oral transmission route.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Søren Hagstrøm
- Department of Pediatrics, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Mette Line Donneborg
- Centre for Clinical Research, North Denmark Regional Hospital, Bispensgade 37, 9800, Hjoerring, Denmark.,Department of Pediatrics, North Denmark Regional Hospital, Hjoerring, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Suzette Sørensen
- Centre for Clinical Research, North Denmark Regional Hospital, Bispensgade 37, 9800, Hjoerring, Denmark. .,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
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184
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Barani S, Jahan N, Karuppiah M, Chaudhuri S, Raju M, Ponnaiah M, Rajaraman S, Vaidhyalingam V, Ganeshkumar P, Kumar Cp G, Muthappan S, Murugesan J, Srinivasan M, Krishnan U, John Varghese A. Epidemiology of hospital-based COVID- 19 cluster in a tertiary care cancer hospital, Chennai, India 2020. CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY AND GLOBAL HEALTH 2021; 12:100889. [PMID: 34754984 PMCID: PMC8566092 DOI: 10.1016/j.cegh.2021.100889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives To identify risk factors associated with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a Tertiary care cancer hospital-based cluster and recommend control measures. Methods We conducted tracing and confirmation among hospital and community contacts. We telephonically interviewed and abstracted information from hospital records and registers. We described the cluster by time, place and person. We conducted unmatched case-control study to compare risk factors and computed Odds Ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval. Results We confirmed COVID-19 in 21 of 1478 tested (1.4%). Secondary attack (%) of COVID-19 among 824 contacts was higher among in-patients of block A (18), household contacts (3.4), housekeeping staff (3.3) and nurses (1.7). The cluster started on April 22 with two successive peaks five days apart and lasted until May 8. Being male, patients aged >33 years [OR = 30·7; 95% CI = 3·6 to 264], having hypertension [OR = 4·3; 95% CI = 1·1 to 16·7] or diabetes [OR = 3·8; 95% CI = 1·0 to 14·1] were associated with COVID-19. Mask compliance was poor (20%) among hospital workers. Discussion We recommended screening of all patients for diabetes and hypertension and isolation/testing of anyone with influenza-like illness for preventing COVID-19 clusters in hospital settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suganya Barani
- Hospital Cluster Investigation Team: ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, India
| | - Nuzrath Jahan
- Hospital Cluster Investigation Team: ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, India
| | - Mathan Karuppiah
- Hospital Cluster Investigation Team: ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, India
| | - Sirshendu Chaudhuri
- Hospital Cluster Investigation Team: ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, India
| | - Mohankumar Raju
- Hospital Cluster Investigation Team: ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, India
| | - Manickam Ponnaiah
- Hospital Cluster Investigation Team: ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, India
| | | | | | - Parasuraman Ganeshkumar
- Hospital Cluster Investigation Team: ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, India
| | - Girish Kumar Cp
- Hospital Cluster Investigation Team: ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, India
| | - Sendhilkumar Muthappan
- Hospital Cluster Investigation Team: ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, India
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185
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The Impact of Large Mobile Air Purifiers on Aerosol Concentration in Classrooms and the Reduction of Airborne Transmission of SARS-CoV-2. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182111523. [PMID: 34770037 PMCID: PMC8583054 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182111523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, an increased risk of infection by virus-containing aerosols indoors is assumed. Especially in schools, the duration of stay is long and the number of people in the rooms is large, increasing the risk of infection. This problem particularly affects schools without pre-installed ventilation systems that are equipped with filters and/or operate with fresh air. Here, the aerosol concentration is reduced by natural ventilation. In this context, we are investigating the effect of large mobile air purifiers (AP) with HEPA filters on particle concentration and their suitability for classroom use in a primary school in Germany. The three tested APs differ significantly in their air outlet characteristics. Measurements of the number of particles, the particle size distribution, and the CO2 concentration were carried out in the classroom with students (April/May 2021) and with an aerosol generator without students. In this regard, the use of APs leads to a substantial reduction of aerosol particles in the considered particle size range of 0.178-17.78 µm. At the same time, the three APs are found to have differences in their particle decay rate, noise level, and flow velocity. In addition to the measurements, the effect of various influencing parameters on the potential inhaled particle dose was investigated using a calculation model. The parameters considered include the duration of stay, particle concentration in exhaled air, respiratory flow rate, virus lifetime, ventilation interval, ventilation efficiency, AP volumetric flow, as well as room size. Based on the resulting effect diagrams, significant recommendations can be derived for reducing the risk of infection from virus-laden aerosols. Finally, the measurements were compared to computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling, as such tools can aid the optimal placement and configuration of APs and can be used to study the effect of the spread of aerosols from a source in the classroom.
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186
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Trmčić A, Demmings E, Kniel K, Wiedmann M, Alcaine S. Food Safety and Employee Health Implications of COVID-19: A Review. J Food Prot 2021; 84:1973-1989. [PMID: 34265068 PMCID: PMC9906301 DOI: 10.4315/jfp-21-201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted the U.S. food supply and consumer behavior. Food production and processing are being disrupted as illnesses, proactive quarantines, and government-mandated movement restrictions cause labor shortages. In this environment, the food industry has been required to adopt new, additional practices to minimize the risk of COVID-19 cases and outbreaks among its workforce. Successfully overcoming these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that addresses COVID-19 transmission both within and outside the facility. Possible interventions include strategies (i) to vaccinate employees, (ii) to assure that employees practice social distancing, (iii) to assure that employees wear face coverings, (iv) to screen employees for COVID-19, (v) to assure that employees practice frequent hand washing and avoid touching their faces, (vi) to clean frequently touched surfaces, and (vii) to assure proper ventilation. Compliance with these control strategies must be verified, and an overall COVID-19 control culture must be established to implement an effective program. Despite some public misperceptions about the health risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 on foods or food packaging, both the virus biology and epidemiological data clearly support a negligible risk of COVID-19 transmission through food and food packing. However, COVID-19 pandemic-related supply chain and workforce disruptions and the shift in resources to protect food industry employees from COVID-19 may increase the actual food safety risks. The goal of this review was to describe the COVID-19 mitigation practices adopted by the food industry and the potential impact of these practices and COVID-19-related disruptions on the industry's food safety mission. A review of these impacts is necessary to ensure that the food industry is prepared to maintain a safe and nutritious food supply in the face of future global disruptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aljoša Trmčić
- Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850
| | | | - Kalmia Kniel
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, USA
| | - Martin Wiedmann
- Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850
| | - Sam Alcaine
- Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850,Author for correspondence. Tel: 607-255-9183; Fax: 607-254-4868
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187
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Superspreading events of SARS-CoV-2 in Paris: A retrospective analysis of data from the first wave of COVID-19 in 2020. J Infect Public Health 2021; 14:1733-1738. [PMID: 34715427 PMCID: PMC8493733 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2021.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic led to a strict lockdown in France from March 17 to May 11, 2020. After the lockdown, the French strategy to mitigate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 relied partly on investigations of all confirmed cases. Monitoring collective settings is particularly important since SARS-CoV-2 seems prone to superspreading events (SSEs). METHODS Our study is based on data gathered in Paris from May 11 to December 31, 2020, by the Ile-de-France Regional Health Agency (RHA) to investigate cases occurring in collective and high-risk settings. Specific events in high-risk settings were systematically transmitted to the RHA, and screenings were organized by the facilities, while other settings were reported when three cases were identified within a short period. These settings were more difficult to identify through the surveillance system since no systematic screening was organized by the facility, leaving screenings to rely on the national contact-tracing programme. No official superspreading threshold has been set for SARS-CoV-2. We defined a SSE as an event involving ten cases. RESULTS We analysed 15,706 events associated with 38,670 cases, representing an average of 2.70 cases per event. Most clusters occurred in educational facilities, workplace environments, social care settings, and healthcare facilities. SSEs represented 3.4% but accounted for 28% of all cases reported. The highest number of SSEs occurred in college settings (12.6%), followed by hospitals and retirement homes. Educational facilities had the lowest number of SSEs, with around 1% in preschools and elementary schools. CONCLUSIONS We observed different SSE rates in each setting. Preschools and primary schools represented the majority of events but experiencing very few SSEs. Colleges were prone to SSEs and were associated with a high number of secondary cases. These findings provide some insights on contact tracing activities and SARS-CoV-2 transmission in different settings.
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188
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Lu Y, Li Y, Zhou H, Lin J, Zheng Z, Xu H, Lin B, Lin M, Liu L. Affordable measures to monitor and alarm nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 infection due to poor ventilation. INDOOR AIR 2021; 31:1833-1842. [PMID: 34181766 PMCID: PMC8447035 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, the nosocomial infection rate worldwide has been reported high. It is urgent to figure out an affordable way to monitor and alarm nosocomial infection. Carbon dioxide (CO2 ) concentration can reflect the ventilation performance and crowdedness, so CO2 sensors were placed in Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital's fever clinic and emergency department where the nosocomial infection risk was high. Patients' medical records were extracted to figure out their timelines and whereabouts. Based on these, site-specific CO2 concentration thresholds were calculated by the dilution equation and sites' risk ratios were determined to evaluate ventilation performance. CO2 concentration successfully revealed that the expiratory tracer was poorly diluted in the mechanically ventilated inner spaces, compared to naturally ventilated outer spaces, among all of the monitoring sites that COVID-19 patients visited. Sufficient ventilation, personal protection, and disinfection measures led to no nosocomial infection in this hospital. The actual outdoor airflow rate per person (Qc ) during the COVID-19 patients' presence was estimated for reference using equilibrium analysis. During the stay of single COVID-19 patient wearing a mask, the minimum Qc value was 15-18 L/(s·person). When the patient was given throat swab sampling, the minimum Qc value was 21 L/(s·person). The Qc value reached 36-42 L/(s·person) thanks to window-inducted natural ventilation, when two COVID-19 patients wearing masks shared the same space with other patients or healthcare workers. The CO2 concentration monitoring system proved to be effective in assessing nosocomial infection risk by reflecting real-time dilution of patients' exhalation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiran Lu
- Department of Building ScienceTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
- Key Laboratory of Eco‐Planning & Green BuildingMinistry of EducationTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Yifan Li
- Department of Building ScienceTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
- Key Laboratory of Eco‐Planning & Green BuildingMinistry of EducationTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Hao Zhou
- Department of Building ScienceTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
- Key Laboratory of Eco‐Planning & Green BuildingMinistry of EducationTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Jinlan Lin
- Department of Disease & Nosocomial infection controlBeijing Tsinghua Changgung HospitalBeijingChina
- School of Clinical MedicineTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Zhuozhao Zheng
- School of Clinical MedicineTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
- Department of radiologyBeijing Tsinghua Changgung HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Huji Xu
- School of Clinical MedicineTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
- Peking‐Tsinghua Center for Life SciencesTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Borong Lin
- Department of Building ScienceTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
- Key Laboratory of Eco‐Planning & Green BuildingMinistry of EducationTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Minggui Lin
- School of Clinical MedicineTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
- Department of InfectionBeijing Tsinghua Changgung HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Building ScienceTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
- Key Laboratory of Eco‐Planning & Green BuildingMinistry of EducationTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
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189
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Venkatram A, Weil J. Modeling turbulent transport of aerosols inside rooms using eddy diffusivity. INDOOR AIR 2021; 31:1886-1895. [PMID: 34252237 PMCID: PMC8446944 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
One major approach to modeling dispersion of pollutants inside confined spaces describes the turbulent transport of material as the product of an eddy diffusivity and the local concentration gradient. This paper examines the applicability of this eddy diffusivity/gradient model by (1) describing the conditions under which this approach is an appropriate representation of turbulent transport, and (2) re-analysis of data provided in studies that have successfully applied gradient transport to describe tracer concentrations. We find that the solutions of the mass conservation equation based on gradient transport provide adequate descriptions of concentration measurements from two studies representative of two types of sources: instantaneous and continuous release of aerosols. We then provide the rationale for the empirical success of the gradient transport model. The solutions of the gradient transport model allow us to examine the relationship between the ventilation rate and the spatial and temporal behavior of the dose of material associated with aerosol releases in a room. We conclude with the associated implications on mitigation of exposure to aerosols such as airborne virus or bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akula Venkatram
- Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of CaliforniaRiversideCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jeffrey Weil
- National Center for Atmospheric ResearchBoulderColoradoUSA
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190
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Stadnytskyi V, Anfinrud P, Bax A. Breathing, speaking, coughing or sneezing: What drives transmission of SARS-CoV-2? J Intern Med 2021; 290:1010-1027. [PMID: 34105202 PMCID: PMC8242678 DOI: 10.1111/joim.13326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 virus is highly contagious, as demonstrated by numerous well-documented superspreading events. The infection commonly starts in the upper respiratory tract (URT) but can migrate to the lower respiratory tract (LRT) and other organs, often with severe consequences. Whereas LRT infection can lead to shedding of virus via breath and cough droplets, URT infection enables shedding via abundant speech droplets. Their viral load can be high in carriers with mild or no symptoms, an observation linked to the abundance of SARS-CoV-2-susceptible cells in the oral cavity epithelium. Expelled droplets rapidly lose water through evaporation, with the smaller ones transforming into long-lived aerosol. Although the largest speech droplets can carry more virions, they are few in number, fall to the ground rapidly and therefore play a relatively minor role in transmission. Of more concern is small speech aerosol, which can descend deep into the LRT and cause severe disease. However, since their total volume is small, the amount of virus they carry is low. Nevertheless, in closed environments with inadequate ventilation, they can accumulate, which elevates the risk of direct LRT infection. Of most concern is the large fraction of speech aerosol that is intermediate-sized because it remains suspended in air for minutes and can be transported over considerable distances by convective air currents. The abundance of this speech-generated aerosol, combined with its high viral load in pre- and asymptomatic individuals, strongly implicates airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through speech as the primary contributor to its rapid spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Stadnytskyi
- From the, Laboratory of Chemical Physics, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - P Anfinrud
- From the, Laboratory of Chemical Physics, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - A Bax
- From the, Laboratory of Chemical Physics, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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191
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Elsaid AM, Mohamed HA, Abdelaziz GB, Ahmed MS. A critical review of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems within the context of a global SARS-CoV-2 epidemic. PROCESS SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION : TRANSACTIONS OF THE INSTITUTION OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERS, PART B 2021; 155:230-261. [PMID: 34566275 PMCID: PMC8450051 DOI: 10.1016/j.psep.2021.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has spread over the world, resulting in more than 225 million patients, and 4.7 million deaths in September 2021. It also caused panic and terror, halted numerous activities, and resulted in the world economy deteriorates. It altered human behavior and compelled people to alter their lifestyles to avoid infection. Air conditioning systems are one of the most important sectors that must be considered because of the pandemic SARS-CoV-2 all over the world. Air is used as a heat transfer medium in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The air contains a variety of pollutants, viruses, and bacteria, all of which have an impact on and destroy human life. Significantly in summer, people spend more time in air conditioners which results in lower levels of vitamin D and melatonin which may affect the functioning of their immune system and are susceptible to receiving SARS-CoV-2 from other individuals. As an important component of air conditioning and ventilation systems, the air filter plays a significant role. As a result, researchers must work harder to improve its design to prevent the ultra-small particles loaded with COVID-19. This paper contributes to the design of existing HVAC systems in terms of their suitability and impact on the spread of the hybrid SARS-CoV-2 epidemic, as well as efforts to obtain a highly efficient air filter to remove super-sized particles for protection against epidemic infection. In addition, important guideline recommendations have been extracted to limit the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 throughout the world and to get the highest quality indoor air in air-conditioned places.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashraf Mimi Elsaid
- Department of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology, Faculty of Technology and Education, Helwan University, Cairo 11282, Egypt
| | - Hany A Mohamed
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Assiut University, Asyut 71516, Egypt
- Mechanical Engineering Department, Higher Technological Institute, 10th Ramadan, Ramadan City 44634, Egypt
| | - Gamal B Abdelaziz
- Mechanical Department, Faculty of Technology and Education, Suez University, Suez, Egypt
| | - M Salem Ahmed
- Mechanical Department, Faculty of Technology and Education, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
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192
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Liu H, Fei C, Chen Y, Luo S, Yang T, Yang L, Liu J, Ji X, Wu W, Song J. Investigating SARS-CoV-2 persistent contamination in different indoor environments. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 202:111763. [PMID: 34329634 PMCID: PMC8316642 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Environmental contamination caused by COVID-19 patients could be a medium of transmission. Previous reports of SARS-CoV-2 in environmental surfaces were about short-term contamination. This study investigated SARS-CoV-2 RNA existence in room-temperature and low-temperature environments long after exposure (>28 days). A department store, where a COVID-19 outbreak was occurred in January 2020 (the epicenter of 43 COVID-19 patients), and a patient's apartment were included as room-temperature environments after being blocked for 57 days and 48 days, respectively. Seven cold storages and imported frozen foods inside were included as low-temperature environments (under -18 °C). Twenty food markets with potential contamination of imported frozen foods were also included to study the consecutive contamination. Information about temperature, relative humidity, and the number of days of environmental samples since the last exposure was collected and analyzed. In sum, 11,808 swab samples were collected before disinfection, of which 35 samples were positive. Persistent contamination of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was identified in the apartment (6/19), the department store (3/50), food packages in cold storages (23/1360), environmental surfaces of cold storages (2/345), and a package in the food market (1/10,034). Two positive samples were isolated from the bathroom of the apartment (66.7 %, 2/3), and doorknobs were proved with contamination in the apartment (40 %, 2/5) and cold storage (33.3 %, 1/3). The epidemiology information and environmental contamination results of an imported frozen food related COVID-19 case (138th COVID-19 patient in Tianjin) were analyzed. Based on the Ct values, the number of copies of two target genes was calculated by standard curves and linear regressions. In conclusion, SARS-CoV-2 RNA can be detected in room-temperature environments at least 57 days after the last exposure, much longer than previous reports. Based on the results of this study and previous studies, infectious SARS-CoV-2 could exist for at least 60 days on the surface of cold-chain food packages. Doorknobs and toilets (bathrooms) were important positions in COVID-19 control. High-risk populations of cold-chain-related logistic operations, such as porters, require strict prevention and high-level personal protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Liu
- Tianjin Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tianjin, 300011, PR China.
| | - Chunnan Fei
- Tianjin Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tianjin, 300011, PR China.
| | - Yinglei Chen
- Baodi District Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tianjin, 301800, PR China
| | - Shengmao Luo
- Wuqing District Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tianjin, 301738, PR China
| | - Tao Yang
- Binhai New Area Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tianjin, 300454, PR China
| | - Lei Yang
- Tianjin Medical University Second Hospital, Tianjin, 300211, PR China
| | - Jun Liu
- Tianjin Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tianjin, 300011, PR China
| | - Xueyue Ji
- Tianjin Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tianjin, 300011, PR China
| | - Weishen Wu
- Tianjin Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tianjin, 300011, PR China
| | - Jia Song
- Tianjin Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tianjin, 300011, PR China
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193
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Sobolik JS, Sajewski ET, Jaykus LA, Cooper DK, Lopman BA, Kraay ANM, Ryan PB, Leon JS. Controlling risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in essential workers of enclosed food manufacturing facilities. Food Control 2021; 133:108632. [PMID: 34703082 PMCID: PMC8532033 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2021.108632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 global pandemic poses significant health risks to workers who are essential to maintaining the food supply chain. Using a quantitative risk assessment model, this study characterized the impact of risk reduction strategies for controlling SARS-CoV-2 transmission (droplet, aerosol, fomite-mediated) among front-line workers in a representative indoor fresh fruit and vegetable manufacturing facility. We simulated: 1) individual and cumulative SARS-CoV-2 infection risks from close contact (droplet and aerosols at 1–3 m), aerosol, and fomite-mediated exposures to a susceptible worker following exposure to an infected worker during an 8 h-shift; and 2) the relative reduction in SARS-CoV-2 infection risk attributed to infection control interventions (physical distancing, mask use, ventilation, surface disinfection, hand hygiene, vaccination). Without mitigation measures, the SARS-CoV-2 infection risk was largest for close contact (droplet and aerosol) at 1 m (0.96, 5th – 95th percentile: 0.67–1.0). In comparison, risk associated with fomite (0.26, 5th – 95th percentile: 0.10–0.56) or aerosol exposure alone (0.05, 5th – 95th percentile: 0.01–0.13) at 1 m distance was substantially lower (73–95%). At 1 m, droplet transmission predominated over aerosol and fomite-mediated transmission, however, this changed by 3 m, with aerosols comprising the majority of the exposure dose. Increasing physical distancing reduced risk by 84% (1–2 m) and 91% (1–3 m). Universal mask use reduced infection risk by 52–88%, depending on mask type. Increasing ventilation (from 0.1 to 2–8 air changes/hour) resulted in risk reductions of 14–54% (1 m) and 55–85% (2 m). Combining these strategies, together with handwashing and surface disinfection, resulted in <1% infection risk. Partial or full vaccination of the susceptible worker resulted in risk reductions of 73–92% (1 m risk range: 0.08–0.26). However, vaccination paired with other interventions (ACH 2, mask use, or distancing) was necessary to achieve infection risks <1%. Current industry SARS-CoV-2 risk reduction strategies, particularly when bundled, provide significant protection to essential food workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia S Sobolik
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | | | - Lee-Ann Jaykus
- Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - D Kane Cooper
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Ben A Lopman
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Alicia N M Kraay
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - P Barry Ryan
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Juan S Leon
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
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194
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Fetzer T. Subsidising the spread of COVID-19: Evidence from the UK’S Eat-Out-to-Help-Out Scheme*. ECONOMIC JOURNAL (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2021; 132:ueab074. [PMCID: PMC8574521 DOI: 10.1093/ej/ueab074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
This paper documents that a large-scale government subsidy aimed at encouraging people to eat out in restaurants in the wake of the first 2020 COVID-19 wave in the United Kingdom has had a significant causal impact on new cases, accelerating the subsequent second COVID-19 wave. The scheme subsidised 50% off the cost of food and non-alcoholic drinks for an unlimited number of visits in participating restaurants on Mondays–Wednesdays from 3–31 August 2020. Areas with higher take-up saw both a notable increase in new COVID-19 infection clusters within a week of the scheme starting and a deceleration in infections within two weeks of the program ending. Similarly, areas that exhibited notable rainfall during the prime lunch and dinner hours on the days the scheme was active record lower infection incidence—a pattern that is also measurable in mobility data—and non-detectable on days during which the discount was not available or for rainfall outside the core lunch and dinner hours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiemo Fetzer
- Corresponding author: Thiemo Fetzer, Department of Economics, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK. E-mail:
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195
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Yonenaga K, Itai S, Hoshi K. Implications for clinical dental practice during the coronavirus disease pandemic: A scoping review. J Prosthodont Res 2021; 66:6-11. [PMID: 34707074 DOI: 10.2186/jpr.jpr_d_21_00064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE It is over a year since the first case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was confirmed in China. This paper reviews and summarizes the characteristics of COVID-19, as understood of December 2020, from a dental perspective. STUDY SELECTION The PubMed and Scopus online databases were searched using a combination of free words and Medical Subject Headings terms: "dentist" OR "oral care" AND "COVID-19" OR "SARS-CoV-2." RESULTS Older people and those with underlying medical conditions have an increased risk of serious illness due to COVID-19. The virus enters the body by binding to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. It is common for people with COVID-19 to have mild or no symptoms. Moreover, the disease is not contagious in most infected people; it is only highly contagious in some infected people, thereby forming clusters. Due to the large number of virus particles that are shed prior to the onset of symptoms of the disease, retrospective surveys are important. Appropriate personal protective equipment against corona vortices is also important in clinical practice. Although polymerase chain reaction tests are useful for confirming infection in suspected individuals, their reliability is questionable. In addition, concerns regarding long-term sequelae have been reported. CONCLUSIONS There are few high-quality reports on the implications of COVID-19 in dental practice. However, reports suggest that insufficient oral hygiene may be a risk factor for infection. Reports that ACE2 receptors are abundant in the oral cavity also suggest the importance of oral care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazumichi Yonenaga
- Department of Eat-Loss Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Oral-maxillofacial Surgery, Dentistry and Orthodontics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Itai
- Department of Eat-Loss Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Oral-maxillofacial Surgery, Dentistry and Orthodontics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuto Hoshi
- Department of Oral-maxillofacial Surgery, Dentistry and Orthodontics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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196
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Rencken GK, Rutherford EK, Ghanta N, Kongoletos J, Glicksman L. Patterns of SARS-CoV-2 aerosol spread in typical classrooms. BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT 2021; 204:108167. [PMID: 34305270 PMCID: PMC8294611 DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.108167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Although current industry guidelines to control the spread of aerosols such as SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) have adopted a six-foot (~1.8 m) spacing between individuals indoors, recent evidence suggests that longer range spread is also responsible for infections in public spaces. The vehicle for long-range spread is smaller (<5 μm) droplets or particles, termed bio-aerosols, or aerosols for short, which have a large surface area to volume ratio such that aerodynamic drag is much larger than gravity forces. The aerosols remain suspended in air for extended time periods, and they essentially move with air currents. Prediction of the danger to occupants in a closed room when exposed to an infected individual requires knowledge of the period of exposure and the concentration level of aerosols in the breathing zone of an occupant. To obtain an estimate of the concentration level, a common assumption is well-mixed conditions within an interior space. This is obtained from a mass balance between the level of aerosol produced by an infected individual along with the airflow rate into and out of the entire space. In this work, we use computational fluid dynamics, compared with experimental results in several cases, to explore the aerosol concentration distribution in a typical classroom for several common conditions and compare these results to the well-mixed assumption. We use a tracer gas to approximately simulate the flow and dispersion of the aerosol-air mixture. The two ventilation systems examined, ceiling diffusers and open windows, yield average concentrations at occupant breathing level 50 % greater than the well mixed case, and some scenarios yield concentrations that are 150 % greater than the well mixed concentration at specific breathing-level locations. Of particular concern are two conditions: horizontal air flow from an open window in line with a row of seating and, second, an infected individual seated near a sealed cold window. For the former, conditions are improved if a baffle is placed inside the open window to direct the air toward the floor, creating a condition similar to displacement ventilation. In the latter, the cold air flowing down along the cold window recirculates aerosols back into the breathing zone. Adding window covers or a portable heater below the window surface will moderate this condition.
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197
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Cortiços ND, Duarte CC. COVID-19: The impact in US high-rise office buildings energy efficiency. ENERGY AND BUILDINGS 2021; 249:111180. [PMID: 34149152 PMCID: PMC8205289 DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2021.111180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, through stay-at-home orders, forced rapid changes to social human behavior and interrelations, targeting the work environments to protect workers and users. Rapidly, global organizations, US associations, and professionals stepped in to mitigate the virus's spread in buildings' living and work environments. The institutions proposed new HVAC settings without efficiency concerns, as improved flow rates and filtering for irradiation, humidity, and temperature. Current literature consensually predicted an increase in energy consumption due to new measures to control the SARS-CoV-2 spread. The research team assumed the effort of validating the prior published outcomes, applied to US standardized high-rise office buildings, as defined and set by the key entities in the field, by resorting to a methodology based on software energy analysis. The study compares a standard high-rise office building energy consumption, CO2 emissions and operations costs in nine US climate zones - from 0 to 8, south to north latitudes, respectively -, assessed in the most populated cities, between the previous and post COVID-19 scenarios. The outcomes clarify the gathered knowledge, explaining that climate zones above mixed-humid type tend to increase relative energy use intensity by 21.72%, but below that threshold the zones decrease relative energy use intensity by 11.92%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuno D Cortiços
- Building Science, Technology and Sustainability Lab, Research Centre for Architecture, Urbanism and Design, Lisbon School of Architecture, University of Lisbon, Rua Sá Nogueira, Pólo Universitário, Alto da Ajuda, 1349-063 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Carlos C Duarte
- Building Science, Technology and Sustainability Lab, Research Centre for Architecture, Urbanism and Design, Lisbon School of Architecture, University of Lisbon, Rua Sá Nogueira, Pólo Universitário, Alto da Ajuda, 1349-063 Lisboa, Portugal
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198
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Infection Control in the Era of COVID-19: A Narrative Review. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10101244. [PMID: 34680824 PMCID: PMC8532716 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10101244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 quickly became a pandemic causing millions of infections and mortalities. It required real-time adjustments to healthcare systems and infection prevention and control (IPC) measures to limit the spread and protect healthcare providers and hospitalized patients. IPC guidelines were adopted and developed based on experience gained during the MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV outbreaks. The aim of this narrative review is to summarize current evidence on IPC in healthcare settings and patients with COVID-19 to prevent nosocomial infections during the actual pandemic. A search was run on PubMed using the terms (‘COVID-19’ [Mesh]) AND (‘Infection Control’ [Mesh]) between 2019 and 2021. We identified 86 studies that were in accordance with our aim and summarized them under certain themes as they related to COVID-19 infection control measures. All the guidelines recommend early diagnosis and rapid isolation of COVID-19 patients. The necessary precautions should be taken comprising the whole process, starting with an infectious disease plan, administrative and engineering controls, triage, and PPE training. Guidelines should target modes of transmission, droplet, aerosol, and oral–fecal, while recommending control precautions. Healthcare facilities must promptly implement a multidisciplinary defense system to combat the outbreak.
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199
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Toyokawa T, Shimada T, Hayamizu T, Sekizuka T, Zukeyama Y, Yasuda M, Nakamura Y, Okano S, Kudaka J, Kakita T, Kuroda M, Nakasone T. Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 during a 2-h domestic flight to Okinawa, Japan, March 2020. Influenza Other Respir Viruses 2021; 16:63-71. [PMID: 34605181 PMCID: PMC8652895 DOI: 10.1111/irv.12913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Coronavirus disease (COVID‐19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS‐CoV‐2), has rapidly spread globally. Potentially infected individuals travel on commercial aircraft. Thus, this study aimed to investigate and test the association between the use of face masks, physical distance, and COVID‐19 among passengers and flight attendants exposed to a COVID‐19 passenger in a domestic flight. Methods This observational study investigated passengers and flight attendants exposed to COVID‐19 on March 23, 2020, on board a flight to Naha City, Japan. Secondary attack rates were calculated. Whole‐genome sequencing of SARS‐CoV‐2 was used to identify the infectious linkage between confirmed cases in this clustering. The association between confirmed COVID‐19 and proximity of passengers' seats to the index case and/or the use of face masks was estimated using logistic regression. Results Fourteen confirmed and six probable cases were identified among passengers and flight attendants. The secondary attack rate was 9.7%. Twelve of 14 SARS‐CoV‐2 genome sequences in confirmed cases were identical to that of the index case or showed only one nucleotide mutation. Risk factors for infection included not using a face mask (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 7.29, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.86‐28.6), partial face mask use (aOR: 3.0, 95% CI: 0.83‐10.8), and being seated within two rows from the index patient (aOR: 7.47, 95% CI: 2.06‐27.2). Conclusion SARS‐CoV‐2 was transmitted on the airplane. Nonuse of face masks was identified as an independent risk factor for contracting COVID‐19 on the airplane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takao Toyokawa
- COVID-19 Response Team, Naha City Public Health Center, Naha-shi, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Tomoe Shimada
- Infectious Disease Surveillance Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takahiro Hayamizu
- COVID-19 Response Team, Naha City Public Health Center, Naha-shi, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Sekizuka
- Pathogen Genomics Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuji Zukeyama
- COVID-19 Response Team, Naha City Public Health Center, Naha-shi, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Miyako Yasuda
- COVID-19 Response Team, Naha City Public Health Center, Naha-shi, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Yuko Nakamura
- COVID-19 Response Team, Naha City Public Health Center, Naha-shi, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Sho Okano
- Regional Health Division, Department of Public Health and Medical Care, Okinawa Prefectural Government, Naha-shi, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Jun Kudaka
- Regional Health Division, Department of Public Health and Medical Care, Okinawa Prefectural Government, Naha-shi, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Kakita
- Okinawa Prefectural Institute of Health and Environment, Uruma-shi, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Makoto Kuroda
- Pathogen Genomics Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tadashi Nakasone
- COVID-19 Response Team, Naha City Public Health Center, Naha-shi, Okinawa, Japan
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Wood K, Wood A, Peñaloza C, Eadie E. Turn Up the Lights, Leave them On and Shine them All Around-Numerical Simulations Point the Way to more Efficient Use of Far-UVC Lights for the Inactivation of Airborne Coronavirus. Photochem Photobiol 2021; 98:471-483. [PMID: 34599612 PMCID: PMC8661964 DOI: 10.1111/php.13523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
It has been demonstrated in laboratory environments that ultraviolet‐C (UVC) light is effective at inactivating airborne viruses. However, due to multiple parameters, it cannot be assumed that the air inside a room will be efficiently disinfected by commercial germicidal ultraviolet (GUV) systems. This research utilizes numerical simulations of airflow, viral spread, inactivation by UVC and removal by mechanical ventilation in a typical classroom. The viral load in the classroom is compared for conventional upper‐room GUV and the emerging “Far‐UVC.” In our simulated environment, GUV is shown to be effective in both well and poorly ventilated rooms, with greatest benefit in the latter. At current exposure limits, 18 commercial Far‐UVC systems were as effective at reducing viral load as a single upper‐room GUV. Improvements in Far‐UVC irradiation distribution and recently proposed increases to exposure limits would dramatically increase the efficacy of Far‐UVC devices. Modifications to current Far‐UVC devices, which would improve their real‐world efficacy, could be implemented now without requiring legislative change. The prospect of increased safety limits coupled with our suggested technological modifications could usher in a new era of safe and rapid whole room air disinfection in occupied indoor spaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Wood
- SUPA, School of Physics & Astronomy, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | | | - Camilo Peñaloza
- SUPA, School of Physics & Astronomy, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Ewan Eadie
- NHS Tayside, Photobiology Unit, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, UK
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