Manuscript word count 3,662) (Abstract word count 250)Correspondence Abstract Objective In the current absence of vaccine for COVID-19, public health response target breaking the chain of infection by focusing on the mode of transmission. This paper summarizes current evidence-base around the transmission dynamics, pathogenic, and clinical features of COVID-19, to critically identify if there are any gaps in the current IPC guidelines.Methods This study involved a review of global COVID-19 IPC guidelines such as WHO, the CDC, and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Guidelines from two high income countries (Australia and UK) and one middle income country (China) were also reviewed. We searched publications in English on 'Pubmed' and Google Scholars. We extracted information related to COVID-19 transmission dynamics, clinical presentations and exposures that may facilitate the transmission and compared and contrasted these findings with the recommended IPC measures. ResultsThe review findings showed nosocomial transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in health settings through droplet, aerosol and by an oral-fecal or fecal-droplet route. However, the IPC guidelines fail to cover all transmission modes and the recommendations also conflict with each other. Most guidelines recommend surgical masks for healthcare providers during routine care and N95 respirators for aerosol generating procedures. However, recommendations around type of surgical masks varied. In addition, CDC recommends cloth masks when the surgical mask is totally unavailable.

Background: During an evolving outbreak or pandemic, non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) including physical distancing, isolation, and mask use may flatten the peak in communities. However, these strategies rely on community understanding and motivation to engage to ensure appropriate compliance and impact. To support current activities for COVID-19, the objectives of this narrative review was to identify the key determinants impacting on engagement. Methods: An integrative narrative literature review focused on NPIs. We aimed to identify published peer-reviewed articles that focused on the general community (excluding healthcare workers), NPIs (including school closure, quarantine, isolation, physical distancing and hygiene behaviours), and factors/characteristics (including social, physical, psychological, capacity, motivation, economic and demographic) that impact on engagement. Results: The results revealed that there are a range of demographic, social and psychological factors underpinning engagement with quarantine, school closures, and personal protective behaviours. Aside from the factors impacting on acceptance and compliance, there are several key community concerns about their use that need to be addressed including the potential for economic consequences. Conclusion: It is important that we acknowledge that these strategies will have an impact on an individual and the community. By understanding the barriers, we can identify what strategies need to be adopted to motivate individuals and improve community compliance. Using a behavioural framework to plan interventions based on these key barriers, will also ensure countries implement appropriate and targeted responses.

Background Since the emergence of COVID-19, issues have been raised regarding the approach used to engage with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) communities during this public health crisis. This study aimed to understand the factors impacting communication and engagement efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of crucial CaLD community stakeholders and opinion leaders. Methods Forty-six semi-structured telephone interviews were undertaken with key stakeholders who have an active role (established before the pandemic) in delivering services and other social support to CaLD communities in Australia. Results Seven key themes emerged: (1) the digital divide and how to connect with people; (2) information voids being filled by international material; (3) Differentiating established with new and emerging communities’ needs; (4) speaking COVID-19; (5) ineffectiveness of direct translations of English language resources; (6) coordination is needed to avoid duplication and address gaps and (7) recognising the improvements in governments’ approach. Conclusion Alliances must be set up that can be activated in the future to reduce issues around resource development, translation, and dissemination of messages to minimise gaps in the response. Financial assistance must be provided in a timely way to community organisations to support the development and dissemination of culturally appropriate communication materials.

Community and religious leaders and other natural leaders from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds have been postulated as a gateway into communities. They act as information intermediaries that enable public health messages to reach individuals. However, there are currently limitations regarding our understanding of these information intermediaries’ regarding their capacity, role, and reach. In-depth interviews were undertaken to understand the perceptions of those working in Australia, including multicultural health, communication and other social support roles focused on CaLD communities, towards the role and impact of information intermediaries in promoting and supporting COVID-19 public health communication and engagement activities. Forty-six semi-structured telephone interviews were undertaken with key stakeholders who have an active role in delivering services and other social support to CaLD communities. Four key themes emerged related to the role of information intermediaries during the interviews. Ideas focused on their role in “bridging the gap” and supporting pandemic-related information delivery into communities. Participants felt that there had been a failure by Federal government agencies to recognise the role of these stakeholders early in the pandemic and a failure to provide sufficient resources and support. However, concerns were also raised that public health messages may be inappropriately interpreted or translated by the community information intermediaries or potentially blocked if the message does not align with the broker’s own beliefs. Finally, concerns were raised about the potential for burn-out among information intermediaries. In preparing and responding to pandemics and other disasters, community leaders and other information intermediaries recognise they have an important role to play and must be provided with resources to enhance and sustain their involvement.