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Coronavirus is spread not only by airborne droplets (coughing and sneezing), but also by air. The related risk was taken into account by the American CDC agency, updating previous guidelines. How can I reduce the risk of infection in confined spaces? Here are the new CDC recommendations.
- The CDC continues to maintain, based on previous research, that “people are more likely to be infected the closer they stay and the longer they are around with COVID-19”
- The update of the guidelines confirms that it has recognized that the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 may also occur by air
- Previous cases have shown that these transmissions took place in closed and insufficiently ventilated rooms
- CDC: Avoid crowded rooms and make sure they are properly ventilated (bringing in as much outside air as possible). In general, being outdoors and in well-ventilated rooms reduces the risk of exposure to potentially infectious droplets from the respiratory tract
- For more up-to-date information on the coronavirus epidemic, visit the TvoiLokony home page
How is COVID-19 spread? The role of air transmission
The previous CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines focused primarily on the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection related to droplet transmission. It is known that the potentially dangerous droplets that are then emitted fall to the ground fairly quickly. In such a situation, social distancing and a face mask can go a long way in preventing infection.
- Coronavirus: WHO Recommendations for Air Transmission
The situation becomes more complicated when we talk about the tiny particles that are formed when we speak, sing, and even just breathe. As prof. Clarkson University, Suresh Dhaniyala, often smaller than 5 micrometers (a micrometer is one millionth of a meter), they can stay in the air for up to about 12 hours.
Prof. Dhaniyala points out that while smaller particles can carry fewer viruses than the larger aerosols emitted by coughing or sneezing, they are nevertheless very important in the transmission of the disease.
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The CDC, based on the results of previous studies, continues to maintain that “people are more likely to be infected the closer and longer they are to someone with COVID-19” – emphasizes CNN (and this route of infection is, according to the CDC, more common ). On the other hand, however, the agency’s update of the guidelines confirms that it has recognized that the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 may also occur by air.
How to minimize the risk of infection? CDC Recommendations
As the CDC emphasizes, we can contract measles or chickenpox by air. It turns out that this also applies to COVID-19. “This is evidenced by several cases of infection, which occurred despite the required distance or after the person with COVID-19 left the interior,” the agency points out.
These transmissions took place in closed and insufficiently ventilated rooms.
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To minimize indoor transmission of COVID-19, the CDC recommends eliminating the “source of infection”. This problem was solved by introducing, for example, remote learning. In the case of face-to-face teaching, the risk can be reduced by good ventilation of the room, the use of countertop or partition covers, or filtering units.
The effect is enhanced by the maintenance of social distance (i.e. in the case of a lecture hall, a reduction in the number of pupils or students) and the widespread wearing of masks.
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What specific recommendations did the CDC make? To minimize the risk of infection:
- keep a distance of at least 1,8 meters from others. This is very important in preventing the spread of COVID-19
- When you are near other people, use a face mask to cover your mouth and nose. This helps to reduce the risk of the pathogen spreading both by close contact and by air
- wash your hands frequently with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use a disinfectant containing at least 60%. alcohol
- avoid crowded rooms and make sure they are properly ventilated (bringing in as much air from outside as possible). In general, being outdoors and in well-ventilated rooms reduces the risk of exposure to potentially infectious droplets from the respiratory tract
- stay home and isolate yourself from others when you are sick
- routinely clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces
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