Understanding SARS-CoV-2 transmission: Computational fluid dynamics modelling of respiratory particles
This report from Theme 2 researchers on the PROTECT NCS, describes the development and use of a mathematical Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model of respiratory droplet dispersion. The aim of the study was to help provide a better understanding of the physics of...
Synthesis and new evidence from the PROTECT UK National Core Study: Determining occupational risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 mortality
SARS-CoV-2 infection was spreading in the UK from January 2020, with the first recorded death from COVID-19 in March of the same year. Understanding the role of the workplace in the risk of COVID-19 is important but complex.In this piece of work, Theme 3 researchers...
The dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 infectivity with changes in aerosol microenvironment
The aerosol microenvironment is dynamic, exposing pathogens, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus, when exhaled in respiratory aerosol to extreme conditions of solute concentration, pH, and evaporative cooling. Yet surviving this environment...
Areas of enduring COVID-19 prevalence: drivers of prevalence and mitigating strategies.
UK local authorities that experience sustained high levels of COVID-19 are described as areas of enduring prevalence. This research, from Theme 3 of the PROTECT NCS, and published in the BMC journal of Public Health, was carried out to investigate reasons for...
Viral Emissions into the Air and Environment after SARS-CoV-2 Human Challenge: A Phase 1, Open Label, First-in-Human Study
Effectively implementing strategies to curb transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) requires understanding who is contagious and when. Whilst viral load (VL) on upper respiratory swabs has commonly been used to infer contagiousness, measuring viral...
A SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in a plastics manufacturing plant
In March 2021, an outbreak of COVID-19 occurred at a plastics manufacturing workplace in the United Kingdom, and an initial investigation was conducted by Public Health England’s local Health Protection Team. After notification of this outbreak, the COVID-OUT team...
Excess mortality among essential workers in England and Wales during the COVID-19 pandemic: an updated analysis
During 2020, excess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic varied over time and by occupation. Essential workers, particularly those in healthcare, had higher excess mortality than non-essential workers throughout 2020 in England and Wales.The first national lockdown...
Quantifying the risk of workplace COVID-19 clusters in terms of commuter, workplace, and population characteristics.
This study from Theme 1 researchers of the PROTECT NCS used novel national data linkages to identify potential risk factors of workplace COVID-19 clusters, including possible protective effects of vaccination and increased physical distance at work. This e-print...
A mathematical model for assessing transient airborne infection risks in a multi-zone hospital ward.
Airborne transmission is an infection route for many pathogens such as Tuberculosis (TB), Influenza and more recently SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). With respiratory diseases already being a major contributor to pressure on hospital systems such as the...
Researchers share study findings with key stakeholders at online event
Last week researchers from theme 3 of the PROTECT NCS shared findings from their Greater Manchester Case Studies with key stakeholders. The team conducted a Greater Manchester Case Study, to investigate workplace responses during the pandemic, changes as a result of...
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