Probable aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in a poorly ventilated courtroom.

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Version: Final published version
License: Not specified
Serval ID
serval:BIB_5436A1772A85
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Probable aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in a poorly ventilated courtroom.
Journal
Indoor air
Author(s)
Vernez D., Schwarz S., Sauvain J.J., Petignat C., Suarez G.
ISSN
1600-0668 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
0905-6947
Publication state
Published
Issued date
11/2021
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
31
Number
6
Pages
1776-1785
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article
Publication Status: ppublish
Abstract
There is increasing evidence of SARS-CoV-2 transmission via aerosol; the number of cases of transmission via this route reported in the literature remains however limited. This study examines a case of clustering that occurred in a courtroom, in which 5 of the 10 participants were tested positive within days of the hearing. Ventilation loss rates and dispersion of fine aerosols were measured through CO <sub>2</sub> injections and lactose aerosol generation. Emission rate and influencing parameters were then computed using a well-mixed dispersion model. The emission rate from the index case was estimated at 130 quanta h <sup>-1</sup> (interquartile (97-155 quanta h <sup>-1</sup> ). Measured lactose concentrations in the room were found relatively homogenous (n = 8, mean 336 µg m <sup>-3</sup> , SD = 39 µg m <sup>-3</sup> ). Air renewal was found to play an important role for event durations greater than 0.5 h and loss rate below 2-3 h <sup>-1</sup> . The estimated emission rate suggests a high viral load in the index case and/or a high SARS-CoV-2 infection coefficient. High probabilities of infection in similar indoor situations are related to unfavorable conditions of ventilation, emission rate, and event durations. Source emission control appears essential to reduce aerosolized infection in events lasting longer than 0.5 h.
Keywords
Aerosols, Air Pollution, Indoor, COVID-19, Humans, Probability, SARS-CoV-2, COVID, aerosol transmission, infectious disease, modeling, ventilation
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
11/06/2021 16:38
Last modification date
02/02/2022 8:09
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