scholarly journals A Physicist View of COVID-19 Airborne Infection through Convective Airflow in Indoor Spaces

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 68-72
Author(s):  
Luis Alfredo Anchordoqui ◽  
Eugene M. Chudnovsky
Keyword(s):  
Control Measures ◽  
General Idea ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Major Public Health Issue ◽  
Airborne Infection ◽  
Confined Spaces ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Indoor Spaces

General Idea: Naturally produced droplets from humans (such as those produced by breathing, talking, sneezing, and coughing) include several types of cells (e.g., epithelial cells and cells of the immune system), physiological electrolytes contained in mucous and saliva (e.g. Na+, K+, Cl-), as well as, potentially, several infectious agents (e.g. bacteria, fungi, and viruses). In response to the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 epidemic, which has become a major public health issue worldwide, we provide a concise overview of airborne germ transmission as seen from a physics perspective. We also study whether coronavirus aerosols can travel far from the immediate neighbourhood and get airborne with the convective currents developed within confined spaces. Methodology: Methods of fluid dynamics are utilized to analyse the behavior of various-size airborne droplets containing the virus. Study Findings: We show that existing vortices in the air can make a location far away from the source of the virus be more dangerous than a nearby (e.g., 6 feet away) location. Practical Implications: Our study reveals that it seems reasonable to adopt additional infection-control measures to the recommended 6 feet social distancing. We provide a recommendation that could help to slow down the spread of the virus.

Coronavirus: Towards controlling of the pandemic - Indian scenario

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL1) ◽  
pp. 462-468
Author(s):  
Latika kothari ◽  
Sanskruti Wadatkar ◽  
Roshni Taori ◽  
Pavan Bajaj ◽  
Diksha Agrawal
Keyword(s):  
Control Measures ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Medical Treatments ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
The Public ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
The Social ◽  
Asking Questions ◽  
The Government ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a communicable infection caused by the novel coronavirus resulting in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV). It was recognized to be a health crisis for the general population of international concern on 30th January 2020 and conceded as a pandemic on 11th March 2020. India is taking various measures to fight this invisible enemy by adopting different strategies and policies. To stop the COVID-19 from spreading, the Home Affairs Ministry and the health ministry, of India, has issued the nCoV 19 guidelines on travel. Screening for COVID-19 by asking questions about any symptoms, recent travel history, and exposure. India has been trying to get testing kits available. The government of India has enforced various laws like the social distancing, Janata curfew, strict lockdowns, screening door to door to control the spread of novel coronavirus. In this pandemic, innovative medical treatments are being explored, and a proper vaccine is being hunted to deal with the situation. Infection control measures are necessary to prevent the virus from further spreading and to help control the current situation. Thus, this review illustrates and explains the criteria provided by the government of India to the awareness of the public to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

scholarly journals Stepping up infection control measures in ophthalmology during the novel coronavirus outbreak: an experience from Hong Kong

2020 ◽  
Vol 258 (5) ◽  
pp. 1049-1055 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracy H. T. Lai ◽  
Emily W. H. Tang ◽  
Sandy K. Y. Chau ◽  
Kitty S. C. Fung ◽  
Kenneth K. W. Li
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

COVID-19-Pandemie: Sicherheitsrichtlinien bei nicht-chirurgischen ästhetischen Eingriffen im Gesichtsbereich

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
Andrea Schulz
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Clinic Visit ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Virtual Meeting ◽  
Facial Plastic ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Aesthetic Procedures

<b>Background:</b> The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is expected to last for an extended time, making strict safety precautions for office procedures unavoidable. The lockdown is going to be lifted in many areas, and strict guidelines detailing the infection control measures for aesthetic clinics are going to be of particular importance. <b>Methods:</b> A virtual meeting was conducted with the members (n = 12) of the European Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery Focus Group to outline the safety protocol for the nonsurgical facial aesthetic procedures for aesthetic practices in order to protect the clinic staff and the patients from SARS-CoV-2 infection. The data analysis was undertaken by thematic and iterative approach. <b>Results:</b> Consensus guidelines for nonsurgical facial aesthetic procedures based on current knowledge are provided for three levels: precautions before visiting the clinic, precautions during the clinic visit, and precautions after the clinic visit. <b>Conclusions:</b> Sound infection control measures are mandatory for nonsurgical aesthetic practices all around the world. These may vary from country to country, but this logical approach can be customized according to the respective country laws and guidelines.

scholarly journals Just the Facts: Recommendations on point-of-care ultrasound use and machine infection control during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic

CJEM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 445-449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Kim ◽  
Tomislav Jelic ◽  
Michael Y. Woo ◽  
Claire Heslop ◽  
Paul Olszynski
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
World Health ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Widespread Interest

The World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to be a pandemic on March 11, 2020, and, currently, there are over 10,000 confirmed cases in Canada, with this number expected to grow exponentially. There has been widespread interest in the use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in the management of patients with suspected COVID-19. The CAEP Emergency Ultrasound Committee has developed recommendations on the use of POCUS in these patients, with an emphasis on machine infection control measures.

scholarly journals Disinfection effect of hexadecyl pyridinium chloride on SARS-CoV-2 in vitro

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keda Chen ◽  
Feike Ma ◽  
Ying Wang ◽  
Xinyi Zhuang ◽  
Xuning Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Disease ◽  
Vero Cells ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
World Health ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Pyridinium Chloride ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Abstract The novel coronavirus (COVID-19 or 2019-nCoV) is a respiratory virus that can exist in the mouth and saliva of patients and spreads through aerosol dispersion. In the face of such a serious epidemic, the World Health Organization (who) recommends that governments and individuals take necessary infection control measures. The novel coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus; SARS-CoV-2) spread rapidly, causing varying degrees of respiratory disease and, in severe cases. SARS-CoV-2 is a respiratory disease that can be transmitted through direct transmission, aerosol transmission, or contact. Therefore, stomatological hospitals and departments have become high-infection-risk environments. Accordingly, oral disinfectants that can effectively inactivate the virus have become a highly active area of research. Hexadecyl pyridinium chloride, povidone-iodine, and other common oral disinfectants are the natural primary choices for stomatological hospitals. Therefore, this study investigated the inhibitory effect of hexadecyl pyridinium chloride on SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. Vero cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 were used to determine the disinfection effect; the CCK-8 method was used to determine cytotoxicity, and viral load was determined by real-time PCR. The results showed that hexadecyl pyridinium chloride has no obvious cytotoxic effect on Vero cells in the concentration range 0.0125–0.05 mg/mL. The in vitro experiments showed that hexadecyl pyridinium chloride significantly inhibits the virus at concentrations of 0.1 mg/mL or above at 2 min of action. Thus, the results provide experimental support for the use of hexadecyl pyridinium chloride in stomatological hospitals.

scholarly journals Risk assessment of COVID-19 airborne infection during hybrid learning

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Alfredo Anchordoqui ◽  
Eugene M. Chudnovsky ◽  
Thomas C Paul
Keyword(s):  
Hybrid Learning ◽  
High Accuracy ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Airborne Infection ◽  
School Day ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Indoor Spaces ◽  
Existing Data ◽  
Lines Of Evidence ◽  
Over Time

Converging lines of evidence seem to indicate that SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, can be transmitted from person-to-person via aerosols that waft through the air and accumulate over time. The airborne nature of the virus could be a threat in indoor spaces in general and in particular for in-class education. We provide an assessment of the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection during a 7-hour school day in elementary schools. We show that existing data are insufficient to establish a low (below 1\%) probability of infection with high accuracy. The use of facemasks and social distancing could significantly decrease this risk.

scholarly journals Standing up against crisis-induced entrepreneurial uncertainty: Fewer teams, more habitual entrepreneurs

2021 ◽  
pp. 026624262199778
Author(s):  
Andreas Kuckertz
Keyword(s):  
Policy Making ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activity ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Entrepreneurial Teams ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Global Spread ◽  
Standing Up ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Habitual Entrepreneurs

The global spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus–2) has led to drastic infection control measures that have dramatically affected societies and economies worldwide. Against this background, it is the purpose of this commentary to illustrate how innovative entrepreneurial activity in particular has been affected by the rising uncertainty caused by the first COVID-19 wave. By comparing innovative North American and European startups established pre-crisis and during the first wave of the pandemic, this commentary suggests that startups founded in the crisis are characterised less by entrepreneurial teams and more by habitual entrepreneurs. Interestingly, women’s entrepreneurial activity seems not to have been affected by the crisis when measured as the proportion of women founders involved in innovative startups pre-crisis and during crisis. The commentary thus, illustrates what particular type of entrepreneur persists during uncertainty and allows us to draw conclusions for policy-making and further research on the interface of entrepreneurship, crisis and uncertainty.

scholarly journals Risk Assessment of COVID-19 Airborne Infection During Hybrid Learning

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (02) ◽  
pp. 5246-5250
Author(s):  
Luis Anchordoqui ◽  
Eugene Chudnovsky ◽  
Thomas Paul
Keyword(s):  
Hybrid Learning ◽  
High Accuracy ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Airborne Infection ◽  
School Day ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Indoor Spaces ◽  
Existing Data ◽  
Lines Of Evidence ◽  
Over Time

Converging lines of evidence seem to indicate that SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, can be transmitted from person-to-person via aerosols that waft through the air and accumulate over time. The airborne nature of the virus could be a threat in indoor spaces in general and in particular for in-class education. We provide an assessment of the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection during a 7-hour school day in elementary schools. We show that existing data are insufficient to establish a low (below 1%) probability of infection with high accuracy. The use of facemasks and social distancing could significantly decrease this risk.

scholarly journals Infection control measures in ophthalmology during the COVID-19 outbreak: A narrative review from an early experience in Italy

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 621-628 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniele Veritti ◽  
Valentina Sarao ◽  
Francesco Bandello ◽  
Paolo Lanzetta
Keyword(s):  
Control Measures ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Health Response ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Containment Measures ◽  
Eye Examination ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Introduction The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is infecting people and spreading easily from person-to-person. Cases have been detected in most countries worldwide. Italy is one of the most affected countries as of 30 March 2020. Public health response includes a rapid reorganization of the Italian National Healthcare System in order to reduce transmission of COVID-19 within hospitals and healthcare facilities, while optimizing the assistance to patients with severe COVID-19 complications. Methods We analysed the actions that were taken in three ophthalmology centres in northern Italy during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak and how these measures affected patient’s attendance. In addition, due to the rapidly evolving scenario, we reviewed the evidence available during the course of this pandemic. Results A full reorganization of ophthalmology services is mandatory according to current existing infection containment measures in order to continue dispensing urgent procedures without endangering the community with amplification of the diffusion chain. Ophthalmologists are considered at elevated risk of exposure when caring patients and vice versa, due to their close proximity during eye examination. High volumes of procedures typically generated by ophthalmologists with concurrent implications on the risk of infection are considered when re-assessing healthcare facilities reorganization. Conclusion Containment measures in the event of pandemic due to infective agents should be well known by healthcare professionals and promptly applied in order to mitigate the risk of nosocomial transmission and outbreak.

scholarly journals Twitter Speaks: An Analysis of Australian Twitter Users' Topics And Sentiments About COVID-19 Vaccination Using Machine Learning (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Wai Hang Kwok ◽  
Sai Kumar Vadde ◽  
Guanjin Wang
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Public Opinion ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
The Novel ◽  
The Public ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Twitter Users ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

BACKGROUND The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is one of the greatest threats to human beings in terms of healthcare, economy and society in recent history. Up to this moment, there are no signs of remission and there is no proven effective cure. The vaccine is the primary biomedical preventive measure against the novel coronavirus. However, the public bias or sentiments, as reflected on social media, may have a significant impact on the progress to achieve the herd immunity needed principally. OBJECTIVE This study aims to use machine learning methods to extract public topics and sentiments on the COVID-19 vaccination on Twitter. METHODS We collected 31,100 English tweets containing COVID-19 vaccine-related keywords between January and October 2020 from Australian Twitter users. Specifically, we analyzed the tweets by visualizing the high-frequency word clouds and correlations between word tokens. We built the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic model to identify the commonly discussed topics from massive tweets. We also performed sentiment analysis to understand the overall sentiments and emotions on COVID-19 vaccination in Australian society. RESULTS Our analysis identified three LDA topics, including "Attitudes towards COVID-19 and its vaccination", "Advocating infection control measures against COVID-19", and "Misconceptions and complaints about COVID-19 control". In all tweets, nearly two-thirds of the sentiments were positive, and around one-third were negative in the public opinion about the COVID-19 vaccine. Among the eight basic emotions, "trust" and "anticipation" were the two prominent positive emotions, while "fear" was the top negative emotion in the tweets. CONCLUSIONS Our new findings indicate that some Australian Twitter users supported infection control measures against COVID-19 and would refute misinformation. However, the others who underestimated the risks and severity of COVID-19 would probably rationalize their position on the COVID-19 vaccine with certain conspiracy theories. It is also noticed that the level of positive sentiment in the public may not be enough to further a vaccination coverage which would be sufficient to achieve vaccination-induced herd immunity. Governments should explore the public opinion and sentiments towards COVID-19 and its vaccination and implement an effective vaccination promotion scheme besides supporting the development and clinical administration of COVID-19 vaccines.

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