2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak: A Review of the Current Literature and Built Environment (BE) Considerations to Reduce Transmission

Abstract

With the increasing spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that results in coronavirus disease 19 , corporate entities, federal, state, county and city governments, universities, school districts, health care facilities, assisted living organizations, daycares, homeowners, and other building owners and occupants have an opportunity to reduce the potential for transmission through built environment (BE) mediated pathways. Over the last decade, substantial research into the presence, abundance, diversity, function, and transmission of microbes in the BE has taken place and revealed common pathogen exchange pathways and mechanisms. In this paper, we synthesize this microbiology of the BE research and the known information about SARS-CoV-2 to provide actionable and achievable guidance to BE decision makers, building operators, and all indoor occupants attempting to minimize infectious disease transmission through environmentally mediated pathways. We believe this information will be useful to corporate and public administrators and individuals responsible for building operations and environmental services in their decision-making process about whether to implement socialdistancing measures and for what duration.

The effects of Personal, Environmental, and Genetic Factors on Epidemic of COVID-19: A Review of the Current Literature (Preprint)

“…Although the fatality rate of COVID-19 is lower than its two ancestors the SARS-CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), however, it is much faster to spread [8]. Estimates of contagiousness of COVID-19 (R 0 ), has been reported in some studies ranging from 1.5 to 5.2 [5,16,17]. R 0 is defined as "the average number of people who will contract a disease from one contagious person" [5,18].…”

“…Estimates of contagiousness of COVID-19 (R 0 ), has been reported in some studies ranging from 1.5 to 5.2 [5,16,17]. R 0 is defined as "the average number of people who will contract a disease from one contagious person" [5,18]. However, within the closed environments as well as in high-density environments such as hospitals, where contact between people is getting closer, the R 0 of COVID-19 has been estimated to be significantly higher (estimates ranging from 5-14) [5,[19][20][21].…”

“…R 0 is defined as "the average number of people who will contract a disease from one contagious person" [5,18]. However, within the closed environments as well as in high-density environments such as hospitals, where contact between people is getting closer, the R 0 of COVID-19 has been estimated to be significantly higher (estimates ranging from 5-14) [5,[19][20][21]. But, with the enhancement of health care and increasing public health in the community, the R 0 will decline [17].…”

“…On 30 January 2020, the WHO Director-General declared that the current outbreak constituted a public health emergency of international concern{Sohrabi, 2020 #1} [1][2][3]. Evidence recommends that COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through close contact with infected individuals through bodily secretions including nasal fluid, saliva, and respiratory droplets spread by speaking, sneezing or coughing [2,4,5]. The most commonly reported symptoms of the disease include fever, dry cough and fatigue, and in fewer frequent cases, headaches, diarrhea, shortness of breath and sore throat [5][6][7][8][9].…”

The Impact of Covid-19 on the Society

“…Active virus has been found at a few clinical studies, and fecal transmission has been observed in some patients. Furthermore, the fecal-oral route does not appear to be an engine of transmission of COVID-19; its role and relevance to COVID-19 must be determined [2][3][4].…”