scholarly journals Active environmental surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Midwestern United States meatpacking plants

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e0261704
Author(s):  
Suzanna M. Storms ◽  
James F. Lowe
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Environmental Sampling ◽  
Environmental Surveillance ◽  
Air Samples ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Plant Infection ◽  
Surface Samples ◽  
Positive Data

This pilot project investigated environmental SARS-CoV-2 presence in seven Midwestern meatpacking plants from May 2020 to January 2021. This study investigated social distancing and infection control practices and incorporated environmental sampling of surfaces and air in employee common areas. All plants increased their social distancing efforts, increased the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting worker areas, and screened for symptomatic people to prevent entry into the workplace. 575 samples from common areas were collected and evaluated with RT-qPCR for the presence of SARS-CoV-2. 42/367 surface samples were positive, while no virus was detected in air samples. Case positive data from the counties surrounding each plant showed peak positive SARS-CoV-2 cases from 12–55 days before the virus was detected in the plant, indicating that environmental sampling is likely a lagging indicator of community and plant infection.

scholarly journals Toilets dominate environmental detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus in a hospital

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhen Ding ◽  
Hua Qian ◽  
Bin Xu ◽  
Ying Huang ◽  
Te Miao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Design ◽  
Environmental Sampling ◽  
Research Grants ◽  
Air Samples ◽  
Department Of Health ◽  
Surface Samples ◽  
Toilet Seat ◽  
Air Sample ◽  
Hospital Building ◽  
Expired Air

AbstractBackgroundRespiratory and faecal aerosols play a suspected role in transmitting the SARS-CoV-2 virus. We performed extensive environmental sampling in a dedicated hospital building for Covid-19 patients in both toilet and non-toilet environments, and analysed the associated environmental factors.MethodsWe collected data of the Covid-19 patients. 107 surface samples, 46 air samples, two exhaled condensate samples, and two expired air samples were collected were collected within and beyond the four three-bed isolation rooms. We reviewed the environmental design of the building and the cleaning routines. We conducted field measurement of airflow and CO2 concentrations.FindingsThe 107 surface samples comprised 37 from toilets, 34 from other surfaces in isolation rooms (ventilated at 30-60 L/s), and 36 from other surfaces outside isolation rooms in the hospital. Four of these samples were positive, namely two ward door-handles, one bathroom toilet-seat cover and one bathroom door-handle; and three were weakly positive, namely one bathroom toilet seat, one bathroom washbasin tap lever and one bathroom ceiling-exhaust louvre. One of the 46 air samples was weakly positive, and this was a corridor air sample. The two exhaled condensate samples and the two expired air samples were negative.InterpretationThe faecal-derived aerosols in patients’ toilets contained most of the detected SARS-CoV-2 virus in the hospital, highlighting the importance of surface and hand hygiene for intervention.FundingThe work were partially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (no 41977370), the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong’s (no 17202719) (no C7025-16G), and Scientific Research Fund of Jiangsu Provincial Department of Health (no S21017002).

scholarly journals Impacts of social distancing policies on mobility and COVID-19 case growth in the US

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory A. Wellenius ◽  
Swapnil Vispute ◽  
Valeria Espinosa ◽  
Alex Fabrikant ◽  
Thomas C. Tsai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
State Level ◽  
The United States ◽  
Social Consequences ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Mobility Data ◽  
The Us ◽  
Public Health Officials

AbstractSocial distancing remains an important strategy to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. However, the impacts of specific state-level policies on mobility and subsequent COVID-19 case trajectories have not been completely quantified. Using anonymized and aggregated mobility data from opted-in Google users, we found that state-level emergency declarations resulted in a 9.9% reduction in time spent away from places of residence. Implementation of one or more social distancing policies resulted in an additional 24.5% reduction in mobility the following week, and subsequent shelter-in-place mandates yielded an additional 29.0% reduction. Decreases in mobility were associated with substantial reductions in case growth two to four weeks later. For example, a 10% reduction in mobility was associated with a 17.5% reduction in case growth two weeks later. Given the continued reliance on social distancing policies to limit the spread of COVID-19, these results may be helpful to public health officials trying to balance infection control with the economic and social consequences of these policies.

A Brief outlook on possible available solutions, therapies and suggestions for COVID-19

Coronaviruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 01 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rashmi Saxena Pal ◽  
Yogendra Pal ◽  
Pranay Wal ◽  
Ankita Wal ◽  
Nikita Saraswat
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Plasma Therapy ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
The Past ◽  
Antiviral Compounds ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Case Count ◽  
Current Scenario ◽  
Hiv Drugs

Background: WHO declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. New cases are being added every day, as the case count in United States are to the maximum. No drugs or biologics are yet found to be effective for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. Objective: To discuss the possibilities of available treatments available. Materials & Methods: Brief out-look is undertaken over the past issues available over the similar situations occurred with respect to the current scenario and prospectives. Results: There can be various possibilities in form of convalescent plasma therapy. The known drugs as HIV drugs, antimalarial medicines and antiviral compounds can serve as suggestive option. Conclusion: Till a confirm medicine or vaccine is sorted out for Covid-19, we need to take natural immune-boosters, along with precautionary steps, social distancing and other preventions as instructed for the benefit of everyone with an optimistic mind and attitude.

scholarly journals Estimating the consequences of a COVID-19 super spreader: A stochastic model of a night on the town

2021 ◽  
pp. 140349482110314
Author(s):  
Nils Henrik Kolnes ◽  
Snorre Nilsen Eikeland ◽  
Tor Albert Ersdal ◽  
Geir Sverre Braut
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Stochastic Model ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Local Municipality ◽  
The Town

A stochastic model estimated the consequences of a COVID-19 super spreader event occurring in the local municipality of Stavanger, Norway as a result of a night on the town. The model imposed different infection control regulations and compared these different scenarios. For Stavanger’s 161 locations of service, secondary transmissions from a super spreader event was estimated to infect a median of 37, requiring the quarantining of 200 guests given no infection control regulations, 23 and 167 when imposing social distancing regulations and other hygienic infection control measures, 7 infected and 63 quarantined guests with restrictions placed on the guest capacity, and 4 infected and 57 quarantined guests with both forms of restriction in use.

Managing Our Microbial Mark

2016 ◽  
Vol 42 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 393-428
Author(s):  
Ann Marie Marciarille
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
The United States ◽  
West African ◽  
Healthcare Associated Infections ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Quality Reporting ◽  
Reporting Systems ◽  
Control Procedures ◽  
Healthcare Associated

The narrative of Ebola's arrival in the United States has been overwhelmed by our fear of a West African-style epidemic. The real story of Ebola's arrival is about our healthcare system's failure to identify, treat, and contain healthcare associated infections. Having long been willfully ignorant of the path of fatal infectious diseases through our healthcare facilities, this paper considers why our reimbursement and quality reporting systems made it easy for this to be so. West Africa's challenges in controlling Ebola resonate with our own struggles to standardize, centralize, and enforce infection control procedures in American healthcare facilities.

Comparison of surveillance and control activities of infection control nurses and infection control laboratories in United States hospitals, 1976–1977

1982 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.Grace Emori ◽  
Robert W. Haley ◽  
Julia S. Garner ◽  
Richie C. Stanley ◽  
David H. Culver ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
And Control

Impacts of Social Distancing on Pedestrian Behavior and Risk Perception

2021 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 1302-1306
Author(s):  
Kyra B. Phillips ◽  
Kelly N. Byrne ◽  
Branden S. Kolarik ◽  
Audra K. Krake ◽  
Young C. Bui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Risk Perception ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
The United States ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Pedestrian Behavior ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Over Time

Since COVID-19 transmission accelerated in the United States in March 2020, guidelines have recommended that individuals wear masks and limit close contact by remaining at least six feet away from others, even while outdoors. Such behavior is important to help slow the spread of the global pandemic; however, it may require pedestrians to make critical decisions about entering a roadway in order to avoid others, potentially creating hazardous situations for both themselves and for drivers. In this survey study, we found that while overall patterns of self-reported pedestrian activity remained largely consistent over time, participants indicated increased willingness to enter active roadways when encountering unmasked pedestrians since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Participants also rated the risks of encountering unmasked pedestrians as greater than those associated with entering a street, though the perceived risk of passing an unmasked pedestrian on the sidewalk decreased over time.

scholarly journals Correcting misperceptions of exponential coronavirus growth increases support for social distancing

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (28) ◽  
pp. 16264-16266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joris Lammers ◽  
Jan Crusius ◽  
Anne Gast
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Exponential Growth ◽  
The United States ◽  
Statistical Literacy ◽  
Social Distancing

The most effective way to stem the spread of a pandemic such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is social distancing, but the introduction of such measures is hampered by the fact that a sizeable part of the population fails to see their need. Three studies conducted during the mass spreading of the virus in the United States toward the end of March 2020 show that this results partially from people’s misperception of the virus’s exponential growth in linear terms and that overcoming this bias increases support for social distancing. Study 1 shows that American participants mistakenly perceive the virus’s exponential growth in linear terms (conservatives more so than liberals). Studies 2 and 3 show that instructing people to avoid the exponential growth bias significantly increases perceptions of the virus’s growth and thereby increases support for social distancing. Together, these results show the importance of statistical literacy to recruit support for fighting pandemics such as the coronavirus.

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