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Dubai: As offices resume functioning from their premises and more employees return to work, the question everyone is asking is whether COVID-19 can spread through air-conditioners, especially in shared spaces?
Concerns over the issue have also come to the fore after the World Health Organisation (WHO) recently acknowledged that the SARS-COV virus’ ‘short-range aerosol transmission’ in crowded indoor spaces cannot be ruled out. The updated brief came three days after a group of 239 scientists from 32 countries published a commentary titled ‘It is Time to Address Airborne Transmission of COVID-19’.
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Offices that share a beehive of ventilation systems need to take extra care to ensure that any moisture droplets or aerosol droplets do not become the cause of potential transmission.
In fact, there have been instances where choir singing in churches, as also close interactions in gyms and restaurants, have been suspected of such transmissions elsewhere in the world.
Addressing the issue, Dr Mazen Zouwahyed, consultant pulmonologist at the American Hospital, Dubai, explained: “Studies indicate that it is possible that if multiple units in the building share the same ventilation system, the virus can travel from one room to another. It has also been found that sitting close to someone singing or sitting close to people on an aircraft where such people may be asymptomatic carriers can result in aerosolisaton of the virus and can remain suspended in the air for over eight hours.”
Dr Mohammad Rafique, pulmonologist and head of infectious diseases at Prime Hospital, explained how this threat can be minimised.
“Airborne transmission in offices can be controlled if the air filtration system is cleaned out regularly, there are separate exhausts for each section and fresh air is let into the circulation system from outside. We do this all the time as part of our infection control protocol in the hospital,” he said.
“High Efficiency Particulate Filter for Allergens (HEPA) filters are used in hospitals to trap any contagious viruses, bacteria and fungi from circulating in the room. Also, air conditioners should always be at a height. Other precautions to be taken are social distancing, wearing of masks and frequent sanitisation of common spaces and air filter cleaning. These measures will ensure minimum contamination of inborne air,” explained Dr Rafique.
What are aerosolised droplets?
Aerosols are generated when individuals cough or sneeze, talk or sing. Tiny microorganisms from the oral cavity get trapped in water particles created through humidity and travel through common ventilation ducts as they get airborne and pose a risk of transmission. It has now been pointed out by researchers that COVID-19 virus particles can remain airborne for eight hours.
How offices can handle the airborne threat
• No overcrowding – employees can work in shifts or on alternative days
• Maintaining adequate social distancing between employees
• Ensuring employees wear face masks at all times and suitable eye gear
• Cleaning and servicing the filters more often to clear out any trapped pathogens, moulds and fungi
• Making sure the exhaust vents are clear and the entire office does not share the same ventilation system. In other words, ensuring each room has a separate exhaust
• Carrying out sanitisation of the office space regularly to prevent spread of any infection
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