AbstractA review of literature on the role of fomites in transmission of coronaviruses
informed the development of a framework which was used to qualitatively analyse
a cricket case study, where equipment is shared and passed around, and identify
potential mitigation strategies. A range of pathways were identified that might
in theory allow coronavirus transmission from an infected person to a
non-infected person via communal or personal equipment fomites or both. Eighteen
percent of potential fomite based interactions were found to be non-essential to
play including all contact with another persons equipment. Six opportunities to
interrupt the transmission pathway were identified, including the recommendation
to screen participants for symptoms prior to play. Social distancing between
participants and avoiding unnecessary surface contact provides two
opportunities; firstly to avoid equipment exposure to infected respiratory
droplets and secondly to avoid uninfected participants touching potential
fomites. Hand sanitisation and equipment sanitisation provide two further
opportunities by directly inactivating coronavirus. Preventing players from
touching their mucosal membranes with their hands represents the sixth potential
interruption. Whilst potential fomite transmission pathways were identified,
evidence suggests that viral load will be substantially reduced during surface
transfer. Mitigation strategies could further reduce potential fomites,
suggesting that by comparison, direct airborne transmission presents the greater
risk in cricket.
Role of airborne transmission in staphylococcal infections.
