Airborne Spread of SARS-CoV-2 and a Potential Role for Air Disinfection

Abstract

, expert consultation from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy concluded that available studies are consistent with the potential aerosol spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), not only through coughing and sneezing, but by normal breathing. 1 This response to a White House request for a rapid review of the literature likely contributed to the recommendation from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that healthy persons wear nonmedical face coverings, when in public, to reduce virus spread from undiagnosed infectious cases. Although clear evidence of person-to-person airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has not been published, an airborne component of transmission is likely based on other respiratory viruses such as SARS, Middle East respiratory syndrome, and influenza. While air sampling for SARS-CoV-2, in a clinical setting, has demonstrated detectable viral RNA, the extent of transmission resulting from airborne particles relative to large respiratory droplets, directly and on surfaces, is not yet known. But if fitted N95 respirators can be justified as

SARS-CoV-2 and Risk to Food Safety

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Development of SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Specific Monoclonal Antibodies

“…There have been over 25 million reported cases of COVID-19 globally as of August 2020 (1), and over 845 thousand reported deaths attributed to this devastating disease. SARS-CoV-2 is a respiratory droplet-borne pathogen (2) and is easily transmitted between individuals in close proximity, leading to explosive spread and a dire need for rapid diagnostic testing to help control outbreaks.…”

Identifying and Implementing Strategies to Reduce the Risk of Self-Contamination of Health Care Workers Caused by Doffing of Personal Protective Equipment During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…15 Consider for installation of approved environmental sterilizers, like ethylene-oxide (EO) gas aerator cabinet; and disinfectant devices, like ultra violet germicidal irradiation that either emit continuous ultraviolet (UV-A or UV-C) light or a pulsed-xenon UV light system, photon mediated electrons emitters, which can reduce the viral load in the doffing zone. 16,17 In addition air purifiers (Medical UV air purifier) also have role in such zones. 17 The efficacy of the above measures should be ensured by frequent air sampling to estimate the viral load with ddPCR or with the "index of microbial air contamination" (IMA), apart from "filter forensics" at specified time intervals to understand the bioload in such zone and plan interventions.…”