scholarly journals Environmental Vulnerability: Theoretical Study of SARSCoV-2 Control During Team Water Sports / Vulnerabilidade ambiental: Estudo teórico do controle do SARSCoV-2 durante esportes aquáticos coletivos

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 116959-116974
Author(s):  
Fabio Henrique Faria ◽  
Alesandra Fátima Saraiva Soares ◽  
Rosane Aparecida Gomes Battistelle
Keyword(s):  
Close Contact ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
International Health ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Technical Literature ◽  
Current State ◽  
Route Of Transmission ◽  
Poor Ventilation ◽  
Water Sports ◽  
Respiratory Droplets

This paper analyzes possible chains of transmission of SARS CoV-2 during water sports practice and discuss control measures of COVID-19 adopted through specific national and international health protocols, more specifically related to the insertion of interventions in the city to propitiate the development of aquatic activities. This is explorative research of technical literature review to present the current state of knowledge regarding the occurrence, persistence and possibility of virus transmission during the practice of collective water sports and related activities. National and International health protocols were analyzed in terms of their safety, functionality and premises. The protocols and studies examined emphasize concerns that the airways are the route of transmission with the highest rate of contamination through respiratory droplets and contact with contaminated surfaces. The research confirmed the hypothesis that the current preventive measures established in health protocols to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in aquatic environments if observed, are sufficient to prevent the transmission of the disease in these locations. More specifically, to control the spread of the new coronavirus, it is necessary to avoid close contact with another individual without facial protection, crowds, and places with poor ventilation.

scholarly journals Environmental factors involved in SARS-CoV-2 transmission: effect and role of indoor environmental quality in the strategy for COVID-19 infection control

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenichi Azuma ◽  
U Yanagi ◽  
Naoki Kagi ◽  
Hoon Kim ◽  
Masayuki Ogata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Control ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Environmental Quality ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Social Economy ◽  
Indoor Environmental Quality ◽  
Infection Dynamics ◽  
Poor Ventilation ◽  
Respiratory Droplets

Abstract The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a new zoonotic agent that emerged in December 2019, causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This infection can be spread by asymptomatic, presymptomatic, and symptomatic carriers. SARS-CoV-2 spreads primarily via respiratory droplets during close person-to-person contact in a closed space, especially a building. This article summarizes the environmental factors involved in SARS-CoV-2 transmission, including a strategy to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission in a building environment. SARS-CoV-2 can persist on surfaces of fomites for at least 3 days depending on the conditions. If SARS-CoV-2 is aerosolized intentionally, it is stable for at least several hours. SARS-CoV-2 is inactivated rapidly on surfaces with sunlight. Close-contact aerosol transmission through smaller aerosolized particles is likely to be combined with respiratory droplets and contact transmission in a confined, crowded, and poorly ventilated indoor environment, as suggested by some cluster cases. Although evidence of the effect of aerosol transmission is limited and uncertainty remains, adequate preventive measures to control indoor environmental quality are required, based on a precautionary approach, because COVID-19 has caused serious global damages to public health, community, and the social economy. The expert panel for COVID-19 in Japan has focused on the “3 Cs,” namely, “closed spaces with poor ventilation,” “crowded spaces with many people,” and “close contact.” In addition, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan has been recommending adequate ventilation in all closed spaces in accordance with the existing standards of the Law for Maintenance of Sanitation in Buildings as one of the initial political actions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, specific standards for indoor environmental quality control have not been recommended and many scientific uncertainties remain regarding the infection dynamics and mode of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in closed indoor spaces. Further research and evaluation are required regarding the effect and role of indoor environmental quality control, especially ventilation.

scholarly journals Whole-genome Sequencing to Track Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Transmission in Nosocomial Outbreaks

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Lucey ◽  
Guerrino Macori ◽  
Niamh Mullane ◽  
Una Sutton-Fitzpatrick ◽  
Gabriel Gonzalez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Virus Genome ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Route Of Transmission ◽  
Hospital Acquired ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background During the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in healthcare institutions posed a significant problem. Due to limited evidence, guidance on appropriate infection prevention and control (IPC) measures such as the wearing of face masks varied. Here, we applied whole virus genome sequencing (WvGS) to analyze transmission routes of SARS-CoV-2 in hospital-acquired (HA) COVID-19. Methods An investigation was undertaken for all HA cases of COVID-19 from March to April 2020. Fifty SARS-CoV-2 samples were analysed by WvGS and their phylogenetic relationship established. Results WvGS identified transmission events previously undetected by epidemiological analysis and provided evidence for SARS-CoV-2 transmission between healthcare workers (HCW) and patients and among HCW themselves. The majority of HA COVID-19 cases occurred in patients highly dependent on nursing care, suggesting the likely route of transmission was by close contact or droplet, rather than aerosol, transmission. Mortality among HA COVID-19 infections was recorded as 33%. Conclusions This study provides evidence that SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs from symptomatic and asymptomatic HCWs to patients. Interventions including comprehensive screening of HCWs for COVID-19 symptoms, PCR testing of asymptomatic HCWs upon identification of HA cases and implementation of universal use of surgical masks for all clinical care is indicated to prevent viral transmission. Our study highlights the importance of close collaboration between guidance bodies and frontline IPC experts for developing control measures in an emergency pandemic situation caused by a virus with undefined transmission modus.

scholarly journals The Prevalence and Clinical Implications of Rectal SARS-CoV-2 Shedding in Danish COVID-19 Patients and the General Population

2022 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Niemann Holm-Jacobsen ◽  
Caspar Bundgaard-Nielsen ◽  
Louise Søndergaard Rold ◽  
Ann-Maria Jensen ◽  
Shakil Shakar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Close Contact ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Clinical Importance ◽  
Oral Route ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Envelope Gene ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
Route Of Transmission ◽  
Rectal Swabs ◽  
Adults And Children

Background: SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in a global pandemic since its outbreak in Wuhan, 2019. Virus transmission primarily occurs through close contact, respiratory droplets, and aerosol particles. However, since SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in fecal and rectal samples from infected individuals, the fecal-oral route has been suggested as another potential route of transmission. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and clinical implications of rectal SARS-CoV-2 shedding in Danish COVID-19 patients.Methods: Hospitalized and non-hospitalized adults and children who were recently tested with a pharyngeal COVID-19 test, were included in the study. A rectal swab was collected from all participants. Hospitalized adults and COVID-19 positive children were followed with both pharyngeal and rectal swabs until two consecutive negative results were obtained. RT-qPCR targeting the envelope gene was used to detect SARS-CoV-2 in the samples. Demographic, medical, and biochemical information was obtained through questionnaires and medical records.Results: Twenty-eight of 52 (53.8%) COVID-19 positive adults and children were positive for SARS-CoV-2 in rectal swabs. Seven of the rectal positive participants were followed for more than 6 days. Two of these (28.6%) continued to test positive in their rectal swabs for up to 29 days after the pharyngeal swabs had turned negative. Hospitalized rectal positive and rectal negative adults were comparable regarding demographic, medical, and biochemical information. Furthermore, no difference was observed in the severity of the disease among the two groups.Conclusions: We provided evidence of rectal SARS-CoV-2 shedding in Danish COVID-19 patients. The clinical importance of rectal SARS-CoV-2 shedding appears to be minimal.

scholarly journals Relationship between the density of tatami stores and COVID-19 morbidity and mortality in Japan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soshi Iwasaki ◽  
Yoshiyasu Kigawa ◽  
Kazunobu Takahashi ◽  
Michiaki Yamakage
Keyword(s):  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Low Temperatures ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Transmission Model ◽  
Primary Mechanism ◽  
Significant Negative Relationship ◽  
Mucous Membranes ◽  
Poor Ventilation ◽  
Respiratory Droplets

Abstract Although the primary mechanism for the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection is through respiratory droplets (1), the virus that causes COVID-19 can survive on smooth surfaces (e.g., stainless steel, plastic, glass) for days at low temperatures (2). Surface transmission represents a possible route of infection, as unwashed hands that touch a contaminated surface can transfer the virus to mucous membranes (e.g., eyes, nose, mouth) (3). However, it is difficult to observe disease transmission directly. Therefore, the Japanese Cluster Countermeasures team has identified the “Three Cs”—Closed spaces with poor ventilation, Crowded places, and Close-contact settings—as factors to avoid to prevent COVID-19 clusters. Identifying other environmental factors that increase or decrease the number of infections would be useful to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a shoe-related transmission model and enhance COVID-19 transmission route precautions by investigating the associations between the prevalence of COVID-19 and both population density and the distribution of tatami stores in each prefecture in Japan. As a result, a significant negative relationship was observed between the number of tatami stores per 100,000 population and the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths.

scholarly journals Relationship between the density of tatami stores and COVID-19 morbidity and mortality in Japan

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soshi Iwasaki ◽  
Yoshiyasu Kigawa ◽  
Kazunobu Takahashi ◽  
Michiaki Yamakage
Keyword(s):  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Low Temperatures ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Transmission Model ◽  
Primary Mechanism ◽  
Significant Negative Relationship ◽  
Mucous Membranes ◽  
Poor Ventilation ◽  
Respiratory Droplets

Abstract Although the primary mechanism for the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection is through respiratory droplets (1), the virus that causes COVID-19 can survive on smooth surfaces (e.g., stainless steel, plastic, glass) for days at low temperatures (2). Surface transmission represents a possible route of infection, as unwashed hands that touch a contaminated surface can transfer the virus to mucous membranes (e.g., eyes, nose, mouth) (3). However, it is difficult to observe disease transmission directly. Therefore, the Japanese Cluster Countermeasures team has identified the “Three Cs”—Closed spaces with poor ventilation, Crowded places, and Close-contact settings—as factors to avoid to prevent COVID-19 clusters. Identifying other environmental factors that increase or decrease the number of infections would be useful to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a shoe-related transmission model and enhance COVID-19 transmission route precautions by investigating the associations between the prevalence of COVID-19 and both population density and the distribution of tatami stores in each prefecture in Japan. As a result, a significant negative relationship was observed between the number of tatami stores per 100,000 population and the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths.

scholarly journals Review of SARS-CoV-2 and Conjunctivitis: Ophthalmologists Be Safe

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mona P Sune ◽  
Pradeep Sune ◽  
Vishal Kalode
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Wuhan City ◽  
Protection Measures ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Route Of Transmission ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Aerosol Infection ◽  
Respiratory Droplets

The COVID-19 or the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become pandemic with its origin in Wuhan, city of China. Within few weeks, it became a global health threat involving more than 200 countries. Though the main route of transmission is by respiratory droplets; trans-conjunctival aerosol infection is a known mode of disease transmission. Patients with COVID-19 conjunctivitis have the transmissible virus in the tears. Close contact during ophthalmic procedures poses the risk of patient to ophthalmologist disease transmission. Conjunctivitis may be the first symptom of COVID-19. In context to this and the close proximity of an ophthalmologist and Health Care Workers (HCW) with the patient, and the nature of work, standard infection protection measures guidelines have been given by prominent healthcare societies.

scholarly journals Heterogeneity in transmissibility and shedding SARS-CoV-2 via droplets and aerosols

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Z. Chen ◽  
Niklas Bobrovitz ◽  
Zahra Premji ◽  
Marion Koopmans ◽  
David N. Fisman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Control ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Influenza Pandemic ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Transmission Risk ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Infectious Period ◽  
Influenza A H1n1 ◽  
Respiratory Droplets

AbstractWhich virological factors mediate overdispersion in the transmissibility of emerging viruses remains a longstanding question in infectious disease epidemiology. Here, we use systematic review to develop a comprehensive dataset of respiratory viral loads (rVLs) of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-1 and influenza A(H1N1)pdm09. We then comparatively meta-analyze the data and model individual infectiousness by shedding viable virus via respiratory droplets and aerosols. Our analyses indicate heterogeneity in rVL as an intrinsic virological factor facilitating greater overdispersion for SARS-CoV-2 in the COVID-19 pandemic than A(H1N1)pdm09 in the 2009 influenza pandemic. For COVID-19, case heterogeneity remains broad throughout the infectious period, including for pediatric and asymptomatic infections. Hence, many COVID-19 cases inherently present minimal transmission risk, whereas highly infectious individuals shed tens to thousands of SARS-CoV-2 virions/min via droplets and aerosols while breathing, talking and singing. Coughing increases the contagiousness, especially in close contact, of symptomatic cases relative to asymptomatic ones. Infectiousness tends to be elevated between 1-5 days post-symptom onset. Our findings show how individual case variations influence virus transmissibility and present considerations for disease control in the COVID-19 pandemic.Significance StatementFor some emerging infectious diseases, including COVID-19, few cases cause most secondary infections. Others, like influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, spread more homogenously. The virological factors that mediate such distinctions in transmissibility remain unelucidated, prohibiting the development of specific disease control measures. We find that intrinsic case variation in respiratory viral load (rVL) facilitates overdispersion, and superspreading, for COVID-19 but more homogeneous transmission for A(H1N1)pdm09. We interpret the influence of heterogeneity in rVL on individual infectiousness by modelling likelihoods of shedding viable virus via respiratory droplets and aerosols. We analyze the distribution and kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 rVL, including across age and symptomatology subgroups. Our findings compare individual infectiousness across COVID-19 and A(H1N1)pdm09 cases and present quantitative guidance on triaging COVID-19 contact tracing.

scholarly journals Disinfection of SARS-CoV-2 Contaminated Surfaces of Personal Items with UVC-LED Disinfection Boxes

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 598
Author(s):  
Maren Bormann ◽  
Mira Alt ◽  
Leonie Schipper ◽  
Lukas van de Sand ◽  
Mona Otte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Credit Cards ◽  
Organic Matrix ◽  
Viral Loads ◽  
Small Aerosol ◽  
Time Periods ◽  
Respiratory Droplets ◽  
Glass Metal

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is transmitted from person to person by close contact, small aerosol respiratory droplets, and potentially via contact with contaminated surfaces. Herein, we investigated the effectiveness of commercial UVC-LED disinfection boxes in inactivating SARS-CoV-2-contaminated surfaces of personal items. We contaminated glass, metal, and plastic samples representing the surfaces of personal items such as smartphones, coins, or credit cards with SARS-CoV-2 formulated in an organic matrix mimicking human respiratory secretions. For disinfection, the samples were placed at different distances from UVC emitting LEDs inside commercial UVC-LED disinfection boxes and irradiated for different time periods (up to 10 min). High viral loads of SARS-CoV-2 were effectively inactivated on all surfaces after 3 min of irradiation. Even 10 s of UVC-exposure strongly reduced viral loads. Thus, UVC-LED boxes proved to be an effective method for disinfecting SARS-CoV-2-contaminated surfaces that are typically found on personal items.

scholarly journals Questioning COVID-19 Surface Stability and Fomite Spreading in Three Aeromedical Cases: A Case Series

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean Horoho ◽  
Stephen Musik ◽  
David Bryant ◽  
William Brooks ◽  
Ian M Porter
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Posture Analysis ◽  
Surface Stability ◽  
Single Positive ◽  
Means Of Transmission ◽  
Respiratory Droplets

ABSTRACT It is well established that coronavirus disease 2019 is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets, and there is mounting research speculation that it may also be transmitted via fomites. Several studies have shown that the virus can persist on both porous and nonporous surfaces for hours to days, depending upon the material. This article examines three cases of polymerase chain reaction–proven severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection with several additional individuals meeting CDC close contact criteria. In 1 case, 195 downstream contacts were all tested to prevent a mass outbreak in a deployment posture. Analysis of these contacts yielded only a single positive test, which could be reasonably ascribed to respiratory droplet transmission. While these cases and their contacts ultimately represent a small sample size, we suggest fomite spread may not be a significant means of transmission for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in real-world operational scenarios.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence in Healthcare Workers in Germany: A Follow-Up Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4540
Author(s):  
Johannes Korth ◽  
Benjamin Wilde ◽  
Sebastian Dolff ◽  
Jasmin Frisch ◽  
Michael Jahn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Risk Group ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
High Risk Group ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Intermediate Risk ◽  
Igg Antibody

SARS-CoV-2 is a worldwide challenge for the medical sector. Healthcare workers (HCW) are a cohort vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection due to frequent and close contact with COVID-19 patients. However, they are also well trained and equipped with protective gear. The SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody status was assessed at three different time points in 450 HCW of the University Hospital Essen in Germany. HCW were stratified according to contact frequencies with COVID-19 patients in (I) a high-risk group with daily contacts with known COVID-19 patients (n = 338), (II) an intermediate-risk group with daily contacts with non-COVID-19 patients (n = 78), and (III) a low-risk group without patient contacts (n = 34). The overall seroprevalence increased from 2.2% in March–May to 4.0% in June–July to 5.1% in October–December. The SARS-CoV-2 IgG detection rate was not significantly different between the high-risk group (1.8%; 3.8%; 5.5%), the intermediate-risk group (5.1%; 6.3%; 6.1%), and the low-risk group (0%, 0%, 0%). The overall SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence remained low in HCW in western Germany one year after the outbreak of COVID-19 in Germany, and hygiene standards seemed to be effective in preventing patient-to-staff virus transmission.

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