Ventilation in worker dormitories and its impact on the spread of respiratory droplets

Abstract

Most of the COVID-19 cases in Singapore have primarily come from foreign worker dormitories. This people group is especially vulnerable partly because of behavioural habits, but the built environment they live in also plays a significant role. These dormitories are typically densely populated, so the living conditions are cramped. The short lease given to most dormitories also means the design does not typically focus on environmental performance, like good natural ventilation. This paper seeks to understand how these dormitories' design affects natural ventilation and, subsequently, the spread of the COVID-19 particles by looking at two existing worker dorms in Singapore. Findings show that some rooms are poorly orientated against the prevailing wind directions, so there is dominant stagnant air in these rooms, leading to respiratory droplets' long residence times. These particles can hover in the air for 10 min and more. Interventions like increased bed distance and removing upper deck beds only showed limited ventilation improvements in some rooms. Comparatively, internal wind scoops' strategic placement was more effective at directing wind towards more stagnant zones. Large canyon aspect ratios were also effective at removing particles from higher elevations.

Airflow deflectors of external windowsto induce ventilation: Towards COVID-19 prevention and control

“…Especially in public buildings and spaces (e.g., schools, libraries, offices, etc. ), the ventilation levels based on the current cross-ventilated systems ( Zheng, Ortner, Lim, & Zhi, 2021 ) are apparently lower than the recommended ventilation standards towards COVID-19. For instance, it is strongly suggested that the ventilation rate should be 2 (h −1 ) with a mask and 7 (h −1 ) without a mask when staying in a classroom for above 2 hours ( Rothamer, Sanders, Reindl, & Bertram, 2021 ).…”

The vulnerability to COVID-19 of migrants in large urban areas: structural exacerbators and community-level mitigators

“… 31 The study designs varied, including qualitative ( n = 9), 11 , 17–20 , 22 , 23 , 35 , 36 cross-sectional ( n = 6), 12 , 13 , 16 , 21 , 26 , 28 and case studies ( n = 5), 9 , 24 , 32 , 37 , 38 perspective and commentary pieces ( n = 4), 14 , 30 , 33 , 34 mixed method studies ( n = 2), 15 , 31 a scoping review ( n = 1), 29 a systematic review ( n = 1), 25 and a simulation study ( n = 1). 27 The methodological quality ranged from poor ( n = 3) 27 , 32 , 36 and fair ( n = 13) 9 , 13 , 15 , 16 , 19–22 , 24 , 25 , 28 , 35 , 38 to good ( n = 13). 11 , 12 , 14 , 17 , 18 , 23 , 26 , 29–31 , 33 , 34 , …”

“… 9 , 13 , 16 , 19 , 24 , 26 , 28 , 31 , 32 , 35 , 37 Eight studies focused on foreign workers, including informal occupations. 11 , 18 , 21 , 22 , 27 , 29 , 30 , 36 Other studies focused on refugees ( n = 4), 12 , 15 , 23 , 33 asylum seekers ( n = 1), 38 refugees and asylum seekers combined ( n = 2), 17 , 25 undocumented migrants ( n = 2) 14 , 20 and unaccompanied minors ( n = 1). 34 …”

“…The included studies showed geographical variety, focusing on North America ( n = 11), 9 , 12–14 , 19–21 , 24 , 26 , 32 , 33 Asia ( n = 8), 11 , 18 , 27–30 , 36 , 37 Europe ( n = 7) 16 , 17 , 22 , 31 , 34 , 35 , 38 and Africa ( n = 2) 23 , 25 ; one study had a transcontinental focus on Turkey. 15 Twenty-nine large urban areas were included amongst 14 countries, within these 5 larger regions.…”

Health education of Covid-19 vaccination program for tourism industry

“…Countries all over the world, including Indonesia, have made various initiatives and policies. From the Lockdown Policy through the use of disinfectants and the implementation of health standards such as handwashing with soap, wearing masks, and keeping a safe distance (Garcia, Mendez, Fray, & Nicolas, 2021;Quiñones et al, 2022;Zheng, Ortner, Lim, & Zhi, 2021). This effort was made to break the Covid-19 virus's transmission chain.…”