The removal of airborne SARS-CoV-2 and other microbial bioaerosols by air filtration on COVID-19 surge units.

Andrew Conway MorrisKatherine SharrocksRachel BousfieldLeanne KermackMailis MaesEllen HigginsonSally ForrestJoana Pereira-DiasClaire CormieTim OldSophie BrooksIslam HamedAlicia KoenigAndrew TurnerPaul WhiteR Andres FlotoGordon DouganEffrossyni Gkrania-KlotsasTheodore GouliourisStephen BakerVilas Navapurkar

Published in: Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (2021)

Airborne SARS-CoV-2 was detected in a COVID-19 ward before activation of portable HEPA-air filtration, but not during the week of filter operation; SARS-CoV-2 was again detected when the filter was off. Airborne SARS-CoV-2 was infrequently detected in a COVID-19 ICU. Filtration significantly reduced other microbial bioaerosols in both settings.

Keyphrases

sars cov
particulate matter
respiratory syndrome coronavirus
microbial community
coronavirus disease
intensive care unit
randomized controlled trial
acute respiratory distress syndrome