Physical distancing, face masks, and eye protection to prevent person-to-person transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis
The Lancet Jul 01, 2020
Chu DK, Akl EA, Duda S, et al. - Via performing a systematic review and meta-analysis, researchers sought to determine the optimum distance for avoiding person-to-person virus transmission and to ascertain the effects of face masks and eye protection on virus transmission in health-care and non-health-care (eg, community) settings. They assessed 21 standard WHO-specific and COVID-19-specific sources for obtaining data on SARS-CoV-2 and the betacoronaviruses that cause severe acute respiratory syndrome, and Middle East respiratory syndrome and identified 172 observational studies across 16 countries and six continents, with no randomized controlled trials and 44 apt comparative studies in health-care and non-health-care settings (n = 25,697 patients). The findings support physical distancing of 1 m or more as transmission of viruses was lower with physical distancing of 1 m or more, vs a distance of less than 1 m. A large reduction in risk of infection was inscribed with using face mask, with stronger associations with N95 or similar respirators compared with disposable surgical masks or similar (eg, reusable 12–16-layer cotton masks). In addition, there was correlation of eye protection with less infection. In addition, this study provided quantitative estimates for models and contact tracing to inform policy. These findings and contextual factors should informed optimum use of face masks, respirators, and eye protection in public and health-care settings.
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