Risk and transmission of SARS-CoV-2

Healthcare workers are at increased risk of acquiring and transmitting SARS-CoV-2. Contact precautions are implemented to safeguard patients and healthcare workers from the transmission of microorganisms through direct or indirect contact with skin, clothing, environment, blood, or other body fluids. In the context of respiratory viruses, protective clothing is intended to minimize the spread of droplets or bodily fluids to the skin and clothing of healthcare workers, thereby reducing the risk of secondary transmission to hands and subsequently to mucous membranes.

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was assumed that droplets and fomites were the primary transmission routes due to SARS-CoV-2 lower basic reproduction number, estimated at 2–3. ^{Reference Li, Guan and Wu1} This assumption was based on a longstanding belief that all airborne diseases have high basic reproduction numbers and, therefore, are highly contagious. ^{Reference Wang, Prather and Sznitman2} Experimental models, including airflow simulations, suggest that respiratory transmission is the primary mode of SARS-CoV-2 spread. Although surface transmission is possible, epidemiological data and environmental studies suggest that it poses a low risk and is not the predominant mode of transmission. Quantitative microbial risk assessments show that the likelihood of contracting SARS-CoV-2 via fomites and secondary transmission is <1 in 10,000. ³ .

Furthermore, the study of real-life indoor superspreading events provides more evidence that implicates aerosols as the most likely mode of transmission over fomites. ^{Reference Wang, Prather and Sznitman2} It is highly improbable that most people at these events would touch the same contaminated surface or be exposed to droplets produced by an infected individual at close range with a sufficient viral load to result in secondary transmission. However, the shared air in a poorly ventilated indoor setting is the common factor among all people in superspreader events. ^{Reference Wang, Prather and Sznitman2} In healthcare facilities, the use of administrative (eg, vaccination requirements, hand hygiene monitoring) and engineering controls (enhanced ventilation) are generally considered more effective than reliance on personal protective equipment. ⁴

What does the evidence say?

To our knowledge, no randomized trials have tested the effectiveness of contact precautions to prevent the nosocomial transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Observational studies have found a weak association between contact precautions for the care of patients with COVID-19 with lower risk of contracting the disease. ^{Reference Belan, Charmet and Schaeffer5}

Several investigations have studied the contamination and stability of SARS-CoV-2 on environmental surfaces. Under ideal experimental conditions, SARS-CoV-2 has been shown to remain viable for up to 28 days after surface inoculation. ^{Reference Geng and Wang6} In clinical settings, SARS-CoV-2 RNA has been recovered from patients’ rooms up to 28 days after admission. However, not all environmental samples resulted in viable virus, with 0 to 33% of samples producing detectable cytopathic changes, mainly within the first week of illness onset. ^{Reference Geng and Wang6–Reference Lin, Malott and Ward9} In one study, contamination of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as isolation gowns, was rare during the management of COVID-19 patients, especially if the contact with the patient was brief (≤30 minutes). ^{Reference Jung, Song, Jeong, Ham, Kim and Kim10}

Potential adverse effects of contact precautions for COVID-19

The mental health of healthcare professionals was affected soon after the COVID-19 pandemic began. The constant use of PPE and the repeated donning and doffing procedures can lead to what is known as “PPE fatigue.” ^{Reference Jin, Liu, Li, Chen and Fu11} This condition results in physical exhaustion and mental stress, making it difficult for healthcare workers to cope with the increased workload and long working hours. As a result, the use of contact precautions may have a negative impact on the mental health of healthcare workers, potentially contributing to burnout, anxiety, and depression, as well as exacerbating claustrophobia, which has been reported with respirators but can be worsened with greater levels of personal protection, especially when the user is fully enclosed in the PPE. ^{Reference Levitin, Koenig and Schultz12}

The use of isolation gowns can also cause physical side effects. Prolonged use of these gowns can lead to skin irritation, itching, and moisture-associated skin damage. Overheating and dehydration are also common side effects of wearing isolation gowns for extended periods of time, which can further exacerbate the physical and mental strain on healthcare workers. ^{Reference LeBlanc, Woo and Wiesenfeld13}

Additionally, the increased use of polypropylene PPE has led to significant environmental impacts, such as increased global waste and pollution. Medical waste has increased by 350%–500% in many countries, with >4 million metric tons of polypropylene PPE waste leaked into the environment since the pandemic began. ^{Reference Ngoc, Nguyen and Nguyen14} The long persistence of polypropylene in the environment for up to 450 years poses a risk to wildlife and contributes to environmental pollution. ^{Reference Nghiem, Iqbal and Zdarta15} The incineration of PPE waste in developing nations releases harmful gases, heavy metals, and polychlorinated biphenyls, further worsening ecological repercussions. ^{Reference Ngoc, Nguyen and Nguyen14,Reference Nghiem, Iqbal and Zdarta15}

Revision and deimplementation of infection prevention strategies

When a novel respiratory virus emerges, it is important to take a comprehensive and holistic approach to understanding all possible modes of transmission, including airborne, droplet, and fomite. By acknowledging all potential routes of transmission, appropriate measures can be implemented to effectively mitigate the risk of spread and prevent transmission. As additional information emerges, it is crucial to reassess the efficacy of the measures that have been implemented. Measures that are not effective should be deimplemented, such as the use of contact precautions in preventing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. This will allow healthcare workers to focus on measures that are more effective in preventing transmission and reduce the burden of unnecessary PPE use. Efforts then should be directed toward mitigating the dominant route of transmission, which in the case of SARS-CoV-2, is predominantly respiratory.