Reducing transmission of SARS-CoV-2 | Science

Type Journal Article Author Kimberly A. Prather Author Chia C. Wang Author Robert T. Schooley URL https://science.sciencemag.org/content/368/6498/1422 Series Perspective Volume 368 Issue 6498 Pages pp. 1422-1424 Publication American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) / Science Date 27/05/2020 DOI 10.1126/science.abc6197 Accessed 2020-07-06 00:13:19 Abstract Respiratory infections occur through the transmission of virus-containing droplets (>5 to 10 µm) and aerosols (≤5 µm) exhaled from infected individuals during breathing, speaking, coughing, and sneezing. Traditional respiratory disease control measures are designed to reduce transmission by droplets produced in the sneezes and coughs of infected individuals. However, a large proportion of the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) appears to be occurring through airborne transmission of aerosols produced by asymptomatic individuals during breathing and speaking (1—3). Aerosols can accumulate, remain infectious in indoor air for hours, and be easily inhaled deep into the lungs. For society to resume, measures designed to reduce aerosol transmission must be implemented, including universal masking and regular, widespread testing to identify and isolate infected asymptomatic individuals.