Indoor coronavirus. Where is it easiest to get infected? Important discovery

The risk of getting SARS-CoV-2 indoors depends on where you are. Suresh Dhaniyala, a professor at Clarkson University, came to this conclusion after conducting an interesting experiment. His discovery is of great importance now, when we spend more and more time indoors due to the weather.

1. The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, like e.g. influenza viruses, can be spread by droplets
2. In a poorly ventilated room or in a small space, the concentration of microorganisms in the air is fairly uniform. Then the entire room is a high risk area
3. In larger spaces, such as lecture halls, good ventilation reduces this likelihood
4. Not all places in the room present the same risk of infection. As Suresh Dhaniyala established, for example, in the “corners” of the room, the air exchange will probably be lower, and therefore the risk – higher
5. For more up-to-date information on the coronavirus epidemic, visit the TvoiLokony home page

The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, like e.g. influenza viruses, can be spread by droplets. Virus-containing aerosol drops can be emitted by infected e.g. when coughing, sneezing, along with saliva.

Immediately after the droplets are emitted, the most vulnerable to infection are those closest to the “carrier”. However, as time goes on, tiny particles spread throughout the room, posing a threat to others in attendance as well. “This does not mean, however, that the risk of contamination in a room is the same,” notes Suresh Dhaniyala.

COVID-19 and the risk of indoor infection. First, ventilation

As an engineer, prof. Dhaniyala conducted experiments to track the movement of aerosols, including “droplets” sized to transmit viruses. – What I discovered is very important now, as more and more people are returning to universities and offices. In addition, as the weather changes, more and more meetings are held in buildings – emphasizes the scientist.

Thanks to his research, we know where in a lecture hall, classroom or other room there is the greatest risk of COVID-19 infection, and why good ventilation is of key importance in reducing the risk.

In a poorly ventilated room or in a small space, the concentration of microorganisms in the air is fairly uniform. In such situations, the entire interior is a high-risk area, emphasizes Prof. Suresh Dhaniyala. In larger spaces, such as lecture halls, good ventilation reduces this likelihood. – My research shows that the level of risk depends largely on the ventilation.

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The experiment proved it. It was carried out in a room measuring 9 meters by less than 8 meters – intended for about 30 students. The room had a ventilation system meeting the standards. – To understand how the coronavirus can spread, we sprayed aerosol particles with sizes similar to those emitted by humans. We monitored them with sensors – describes Dhaniyala. As it turned out?

The released particles reached the other end of the room within 10-15 minutes. Due to the active ventilation, the concentration of the aerosol at the end of the room was 10 times lower than where it was sprayed. According to the researcher, this could suggest that “with adequate ventilation, the highest risk of developing COVID-19 may be limited to a small number of people near the infected speaker”.

However, this is not the end. The experiment showed that the longer we stay in a room where a SARS-CV-2 infected person is present, the greater the risk of infection becomes, eventually covering the entire interior, “even if ventilation is good”.

COVID-19 and the risk of indoor infection. Which places are better to avoid?

Not all places in the room present the same risk of infection. As established by Suresh Dhaniyala, in the ‘corners’ of the room, air exchange is likely to be lower, which means that potentially harmful particles can stay there for a long time.

In addition, “being near an air outlet may mean that airborne particles from the rest of the room can be trickling down onto you,” warns the scientist.

As shown by the analyzes carried out in one of the Chinese restaurants, with properly functioning ventilation, approx. 95 percent. particles in the room will be removed within 30 minutes. On the other hand, the presence of an infected person with SARS-CoV-2 means that these particles are constantly being emitted.

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The rate of their removal can be accelerated by increasing the air exchange rate or by adding other technical control measures such as filter units. Opening the windows also often increases the effective air exchange rate – points out the scientist.

“As more and more people gather in restaurants, shopping malls and other common spaces, understanding the risks and following the CDC’s recommendations can help minimize the spread of infection,” emphasizes the professor at Clarkson University. Recently, the CDC updated its list of recommendations in view of reducing the transmission of the coronavirus. Here are her new guidelines.

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