Do plexiglass barriers reduce the risk for transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)?

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Cadnum ◽  
Annette L. Jencson ◽  
Curtis J. Donskey
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Viral Transmission ◽  
Fluorescent Microspheres ◽  
Physical Barriers

Abstract Barriers are commonly installed in workplace situations where physical distancing cannot be maintained, but their effectiveness in decreasing viral transmission is unknown. In simulations, physical barriers with no openings were effective in reducing contamination with an aerosolized benign virus or fluorescent microspheres, but barriers with openings were not.

scholarly journals Why COVID-19 Transmission Is More Efficient and Aggressive Than Viral Transmission in Previous Coronavirus Epidemics?

Biomolecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatma Elrashdy ◽  
Elrashdy M. Redwan ◽  
Vladimir N. Uversky
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Human Population ◽  
Viral Transmission ◽  
Host Factors ◽  
The Past ◽  
Viral Structure ◽  
The World ◽  
Human Host Factors

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is causing a pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The worldwide transmission of COVID-19 from human to human is spreading like wildfire, affecting almost every country in the world. In the past 100 years, the globe did not face a microbial pandemic similar in scale to COVID-19. Taken together, both previous outbreaks of other members of the coronavirus family (severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV) and middle east respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV)) did not produce even 1% of the global harm already inflicted by COVID-19. There are also four other CoVs capable of infecting humans (HCoVs), which circulate continuously in the human population, but their phenotypes are generally mild, and these HCoVs received relatively little attention. These dramatic differences between infection with HCoVs, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 raise many questions, such as: Why is COVID-19 transmitted so quickly? Is it due to some specific features of the viral structure? Are there some specific human (host) factors? Are there some environmental factors? The aim of this review is to collect and concisely summarize the possible and logical answers to these questions.

scholarly journals Estimates of the ongoing need for social distancing and control measures post-“lockdown” from trajectories of COVID-19 cases and mortality

2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 2001483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike Lonergan ◽  
James D. Chalmers
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Economic Activity ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Reproduction Number ◽  
Viral Transmission ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
And Control ◽  
Doubling Times

By 21 May 2020, severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) had caused more than 5 million cases of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) across more than 200 countries. Most countries with significant outbreaks have introduced social distancing or “lockdown” measures to reduce viral transmission. So the key question now is when, how and to what extent these measures can be lifted.Publicly available data on daily numbers of newly confirmed cases and mortality were used to fit regression models estimating trajectories, doubling times and the reproduction number (R0) of the disease, before and under the control measures. These data ran up to 21 May 2020, and were sufficient for analysis in 89 countries.The estimates of R0 before lockdown based on these data were broadly consistent with those previously published: between 2.0 and 3.7 in the countries with the largest number of cases available for analysis (USA, Italy, Spain, France and UK). There was little evidence to suggest that the restrictions had reduced R far below 1 in many places, with France having the most rapid reductions: R0 0.76 (95% CI 0.72–0.82) based on cases, and 0.77 (95% CI 0.73–0.80) based on mortality.Intermittent lockdown has been proposed as a means of controlling the outbreak while allowing periods of increased freedom and economic activity. These data suggest that few countries could have even 1 week per month unrestricted without seeing resurgence of the epidemic. Similarly, restoring 20% of the activity that has been prevented by the lockdowns looks difficult to reconcile with preventing the resurgence of the disease in most countries.

scholarly journals Care of Patients With a Laryngectomy During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 163 (4) ◽  
pp. 695-698 ◽  
Author(s):  
David C. M. Yeung ◽  
Ronald Lai ◽  
Eddy W. Y. Wong ◽  
Jason Y. K. Chan
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Contact Precautions ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Hong Kong Sar ◽  
Physical Barriers

Patients with a laryngectomy are at increased risk for droplet-transmitted diseases and, therefore, COVID-19, which has now caused a worldwide pandemic. Adaptive measures to protect patients with a laryngectomy and their families were designed and implemented in the Hong Kong SAR (HK). Driven by the fear of severe acute respiratory syndrome in 2003, hospitals in HK have since modified infection control routines to prevent a repeat public health nightmare. To face COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, we have adapted guidelines for our patients with a laryngectomy. Contact precautions, droplet precautions with physical barriers, and hand and equipment hygiene are our mainstays of prevention against COVID-19, and sharing these routines is the aim of this article. The COVID-19 pandemic is still roaring ahead. Awareness and precautions for patients with a laryngectomy who may be at higher risk are outlined here and should be maintained during the current pandemic.

scholarly journals Comparison of the Filtration Efficiency of Different Face Masks Against Aerosols

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Connor Stahl ◽  
Kevin Frederick ◽  
Sachin Chaudhary ◽  
Christopher J. Morton ◽  
Douglas Loy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Filtration Efficiency ◽  
Viral Transmission ◽  
Bench Test ◽  
Aerodynamic Diameter ◽  
Aerosol Generation ◽  
Lung Simulator ◽  
Filtering Efficiency ◽  
Particle Counts

Background: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic can spread through virus-containing aerosols ( ≤ 5 μm) and larger airborne droplets. Quantifying filtration efficiency of different kinds of masks and linings for aerosols that fall within the most penetrating particle size (80-400 nm) is critical to limiting viral transmission. The objective of our experiment was to compare the “real-world” filtering efficiency of different face masks for fine aerosols (350 nm) in laboratory simulations.Methods: We performed a simulated bench test that measured the filtering efficiency of N95 vs. N99 masks with elastomeric lining in relation to baseline (“background”) aerosol generation. A mannequin head was placed within a chamber and was attached to an artificial lung simulator. Particles of known size (350 ± 6 nm aerodynamic diameter) were aerosolized into the chamber while simulating breathing at physiological settings of tidal volume, respiratory rate, and airflow. Particle counts were measured between the mannequin head and the lung simulator at the tracheal airway location.Results: Baseline particle counts without a filter (background) were 2,935 ± 555 (SD) cm−3, while the N95 (1348 ± 92 cm−3) and N99 mask with elastomeric lining (279 ± 164 cm−3; p <0.0001) exhibit lower counts due to filtration.Conclusion: The filtration efficiency of the N95 (54.1%) and N99 (90.5%) masks were lower than the filtration efficiency rating. N99 masks with elastomeric lining exhibit greater filtration efficiency than N95 masks without elastomeric lining and may be preferred to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

scholarly journals VTES: a stochastic Python-based tool to simulate viral transmission

F1000Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 1198
Author(s):  
Danielle L. Kurtin ◽  
Daniel A.J. Parsons ◽  
Scott M. Stagg
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Viral Transmission ◽  
Disease Spread ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Educational Tool ◽  
Dynamic Simulations ◽  
Reduced Representation ◽  
Key Variables ◽  
Over Time

The spread of diseases like severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in human populations involve a large number of variables, making it difficult to predict how it will spread across communities and populations. Reduced representation simulations allow us to reduce the complexity of disease spread and model transmission based on a few key variables. Here we have created a Viral Transmission Education Simulator (VTES) that simulates the spread of disease through the interactions between circles representing individual people bouncing around a bounded, 2D plane. Infections are transmitted via person-to-person contact and the course of an outbreak can be tracked over time. Using this approach, we are able to simulate the influence of variables like infectivity, population density, and social distancing on the course of an outbreak. We also describe how VTES's code can be used to calculate R0 for the simulated pandemic. VTES is useful for modeling how small changes in variables that influence disease transmission can have large changes on the outcome of an epidemic. Additionally, VTES serves as an educational tool where users can easily visualize how disease spreads, and test how interventions, like masking, can influence an outbreak. VTES is designed to be simple and clear to encourage user modifications. These properties make VTES an educational tool that uses accessible, clear code and dynamic simulations to provide a richer understanding of the behaviors and factors underpinning a pandemic. VTES is available from: https://github.com/sstagg/disease-transmission.

scholarly journals Understanding Viral Transmission Behavior via Protein Intrinsic Disorder Prediction: Coronaviruses

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerard Kian-Meng Goh ◽  
A. Keith Dunker ◽  
Vladimir N. Uversky
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Intrinsic Disorder ◽  
Viral Transmission ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Emerging Viruses ◽  
Vaccine Strategy ◽  
Transmission Modes ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Protein Intrinsic Disorder

Besides being a common threat to farm animals and poultry, coronavirus (CoV) was responsible for the human severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic in 2002–4. However, many aspects of CoV behavior, including modes of its transmission, are yet to be fully understood. We show that the amount and the peculiarities of distribution of the protein intrinsic disorder in the viral shell can be used for the efficient analysis of the behavior and transmission modes of CoV. The proposed model allows categorization of the various CoVs by the peculiarities of disorder distribution in their membrane (M) and nucleocapsid (N). This categorization enables quick identification of viruses with similar behaviors in transmission, regardless of genetic proximity. Based on this analysis, an empirical model for predicting the viral transmission behavior is developed. This model is able to explain some behavioral aspects of important coronaviruses that previously were not fully understood. The new predictor can be a useful tool for better epidemiological, clinical, and structural understanding of behavior of both newly emerging viruses and viruses that have been known for a long time. A potentially new vaccine strategy could involve searches for viral strains that are characterized by the evolutionary misfit between the peculiarities of the disorder distribution in their shells and their behavior.

scholarly journals Aerosol generation during surgical tracheostomy in a patient with COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 391-393
Author(s):  
Forbes McGain ◽  
◽  
Ruhi S Humphries ◽  
Juan Carlos Mora ◽  
Patrick Timms ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Viral Transmission ◽  
Surgical Tracheostomy ◽  
Aerosol Generation ◽  
Care Workers

Significant concern exists regarding the risk of transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCov-2) to health care workers during aerosol generating procedures.The risk of viral transmission to health care workers during tracheostomy insertion is unknown.

scholarly journals Saliva—Friend and Foe in the COVID-19 Outbreak

Diagnostics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pingping Han ◽  
Sašo Ivanovski
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Immune Status ◽  
Viral Transmission ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Asymptomatic Patients

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has become a global ongoing pandemic. Timely, accurate and non-invasive SARS-CoV-2 detection in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, as well as determination of their immune status, will facilitate effective large-scale pandemic control measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Saliva is a biofluid whose anatomical source and location is of particularly strategic relevance to COVID-19 transmission and monitoring. This review focuses on the role of saliva as both a foe (a common mode of viral transmission via salivary droplets and potentially aerosols) and a friend (as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for viral detection and immune status surveillance) in combating COVID-19.

scholarly journals Pleural complications in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): how to safely apply and follow-up with a chest tube during the pandemic?

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (6) ◽  
pp. 1216-1221
Author(s):  
Kenan Can Ceylan ◽  
Guntug Batihan ◽  
Serkan Yazgan ◽  
Soner Gürsoy ◽  
Sami Cenk Kıraklı ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Chest Tube ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Viral Transmission ◽  
Air Filter ◽  
Pulmonary Parenchyma ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Tube Application

Abstract OBJECTIVES Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, a novel coronavirus, affects mainly the pulmonary parenchyma and produces significant morbidity and mortality. During the pandemic, several complications have been shown to be associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Our goal was to present a series of patients with COVID-19 who underwent chest tube placements due to the development of pleural complications and to make suggestions for the insertion and follow-up management of the chest tube. METHODS We retrospectively collected and analysed data on patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in our hospital between 11 March and 15 May 2020. Patients from this patient group who developed pleural complications requiring chest tube insertion were included in the study. RESULTS A total of 542 patients who were suspected of having COVID-19 were hospitalized. The presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 was confirmed with laboratory tests in 342 patients between 11 March and 15 May 2020 in our centre. A chest tube was used in 13 (3.8%) of these patients. A high-efficiency particulate air filter mounted double-bottle technique was used to prevent viral transmission. CONCLUSIONS In patients with COVID-19, the chest tube can be applied in cases with disease or treatment-related pleural complications. Our case series comprised a small group of patients, which is one of its limitations. Still, our main goal was to present our experience with patients with pleural complications and describe a new drainage technique to prevent viral transmission during chest tube application and follow-up.

scholarly journals Recommendations for Gynecological Endoscopic Surgery during COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (03) ◽  
pp. 239-242
Author(s):  
Amrutha Kakollu ◽  
Anupama Hari
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Laparoscopic Surgery ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Endoscopic Surgery ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Viral Transmission ◽  
Gas Leakage ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Care Systems

AbstractThe presence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to overwhelm health-care systems with numerous concerns around the safety of patients as well as health-care professionals. It is essential to allow for judicious use of resources and emphasize allotting maximum staff and resources to care for the affected. To this end, most centers are choosing to defer elective procedures and perform only emergency surgeries. The safety of all theater staff is of utmost importance, and the risks of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral transmission should be curbed when operating. In particular, there are concerns relating to the transmission of COVID-19 during gynecological laparoscopic surgery, arising from the possible generation of contaminated aerosols from gas leakage and the creation of smoke from the use of electrosurgical devices. The aim of this paper is to review the evidence available as of today for recommendations to follow while performing gynecological procedures.

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