Modes of transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and specifically the proportion of airborne transmission in this infection is unknown. In the aeroCOVID study, a highly efficient bioaerosol and droplet sampling dummy is used to emulate a susceptible healthcare worker (HCW) and to perform patient proximity sampling. The dummy will measure the dummy-inhaled dose of SARS-CoV-2 in two particle size fractions in a standardized interaction with hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. All measurements are performed in a masked and unmasked dummy setup in parallel, in order to gain further information on the protection of type II masks against the respective particle size exposure.
Modes of interpersonal transmission in SARS-CoV-2 are to date only incompletely understood
and require further investigation in order to define best preventive measures. Although a
dichotomization of inhaled particles by particle size is an oversimplification and a large
particle size does not exclude shortterm airborne behavior, the suspension time of virus
containing particles and the probability of particles to accumulate in room air is primarily
defined by particle size distribution. Particles with a size below 10 µm have a high
probability of accumulation due to their mean suspension time of minutes to hours.
The study aims to measure the total amount of virus copies per particle size fraction inhaled
by a highly efficient sampling dummy emulating a susceptible HCW in a standardized
interaction with hospitalized COVID-19 patients. As a secondary endpoint, the proportion of
culturable virus in each setup is measured as well.
Sampling is done in using two parallel bioaerosol and droplet sampling dummies - one type II
masked and one with an unmasked dummy head as inlet - in order to gain additional information
on the protective effect of type II surgical masks in a real-life exhaled particle size
distribution in hospitalized COVID patients. The sampling dummy consists of a real size face
relief connected to an 60° inlet cone, a cyclone for collection of particles >10 µm and a
laminar flow water-based condensation bioaerosol collector for particle collection below 10
µm particle size.
After patient proximity sampling, a nasopharyngeal swab for SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain
reaction (PCR) assay is performed. Relevant indoor climate parameters like temperature,
humidity and carbon dioxide (CO2) as well as room characteristics as air change rate are
recorded as well.
Inclusion Criteria:
- positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR or antigen test from a nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swab
- ≥18 years of age
- ability to give consent
- ability to follow simple instructions
Exclusion Criteria:
- symptom onset more than 10 days prior to inclusion
- pregnancy
- lack of written informed consent
University Hospital Bern
Bern, Switzerland
Philipp Jent, MD, Principal Investigator
University of Bern