Depending on the outdoor situation youre in, it changes the ventilation dynamics of that area and can alter the risk of COVID for people in that [space], Roberts said, adding that hed feel pretty comfortable in a socially distant, outdoor setting with nothing covering the space (like tents, tarps, overhangs, and enclosures) even with the BA.5 variant. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. See an archive of our FAQs here. Among 431 household contacts, 227 were classified as having a case of COVID-19 (attack rate [AR]=52.7%). The ARs among household contacts of index patients who had received a COVID-19 booster dose, of fully vaccinated index patients who completed their COVID-19 primary series within the previous 5 months, and of unvaccinated index patients were 42.7% (47 of 110), 43.6% (17 of 39), and 63.9% (69 of 108), respectively. ARs among household contacts were estimated overall, by household contact characteristics, and by index patient characteristics, by dividing the number of household contacts with confirmed and probable cases by the total number of household contacts within a given stratum. Masks, vaccination, social distancing, testing and hand washing all play a role, too. All variants and subvariants have changes in their genetic code, compared to the original virus they came from. How does COVID-19 spread between people? FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ", Lauren Pelley covers health and medical science for CBC News, including the global spread of infectious diseases, Canadian health policy, and pandemic preparedness. And Eric Topol, MD . New studies suggest that BA.4 and BA.5, currently sweeping the U.S. and countries around the globe, have a growth advantage over BA.2 similar to the growth advantage BA.2 had over BA.1. Some persons who were fully vaccinated had unknown dates for completion of their primary vaccination series. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. Washington, DC: US Travel Association; 2021. Published on December 6, 2021. Millions of people in China have been forced into lockdown, ordered to stay home to protect themselves from the countrys biggest COVID-19 outbreak in two years. Researchers have said that while Covid infections can happen outdoors, the chances are massively reduced. But the likelihood of transmission grew by 6% for every five weeks . Similarly, the AR was lower among household contacts of index patients who ever wore a mask at home during their potentially infectious period (39.5%, 88 of 223) compared with those of index patients who never wore a mask at home (68.9%, 124 of 180) (p-value <0.01). Sunlight and humidity, for instance, can both contribute to how long viruses are able to survive on surfaces outdoors, he noted. Preliminary research, including a small study by Milton's lab, suggests that people infected with omicron don't breathe out higher viral loads than people infected with delta. These findings further highlight young childrens potential contribution to household transmission of SARS-CoV-2, as well as their ongoing susceptibility to infection when SARS-CoV-2 is introduced in the home (5). In addition, surfaces may play a greater role in Omicron transmission. If you are high-risk or have close contact with someone who is high risk, wear a mask indoors, even if you're just running inside to use the restroom or grab something quickly from a store. But Marr stressed the study's conditions don't reflect real-world scenarios. The Omicron variant of the coronavirus appears to have spread between two fully vaccinated people who were staying in separate rooms across the hall from each other in a Hong Kong quarantine. See the Interactive Home Ventilation Tool. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021;70:17314. This was true for the other variants too, Linsey Marr, PhD, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Virginia Tech who studies viral transmission, tells SELF. Analysis of AR among household contacts excluded eight persons with unknown case status (persons for whom it was not known whether COVID-19compatible symptoms were present and whether SARS-CoV-2 testing had occurred [or if testing occurred, the results were unknown]). See the Interactive Home Ventilation Tool. The symptoms arent always as similar as you might think. The AR was lower among household contacts of index patients who reported ever wearing a mask at home during their potentially infectious period (39.5%, 88 of 223) compared with household contacts of index patients who reported never wearing a mask at home during this period (68.9%, 124 of 180, p-value<0.01). The small sample size, especially for certain stratum-specific ARs, may limit overall generalizability of the results. An index patient with a probable COVID-19 case was the first person with onset of any symptom consistent with COVID-19, but without a positive SARS-CoV-2 test confirmation, reported in a household. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:14652. 3501 et seq. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. COVID-19 cases have been declining across the country. Earlier studies showed that the fewer cases of outdoor transmission almost always occurred during prolonged, close contact. The outdoors were originally believed to be the safest setting for social gatherings at the height of the pandemic, but you may be wondering if thats still the case with BA.5. Yes, you can catch BA.5 outside, but its more likely that youll catch it indoors than outdoors. S&P Index data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. The protective measures we talked about early in the pandemic still work against Omicron. It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. According to an Epidemiological Update from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), "the current growth advantage for the BA.4 and BA.5 variants of concerncompared to the dominant variant BA.2 is probably due to their ability to evade immune protection against infection induced by prior infection and/or vaccination, particularly if this has waned over time." Here, experts discuss just how contagious BA.5 isand how you can go the extra step to protect yourself, even during outdoor activities this summer. With the global evolution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), for almost 2 years, various control strategies have been utilized around the world. (Of course, football games have been postponed this season because of COVID outbreaks, but the study's authors believe that players were more likely spreading it in locker rooms and other shared indoor spaces.). If you start tweaking with that where either theres some sort of open wall and theyre calling it outdoors or [youre in] a jam-packed outdoor setting where [you] cant appropriately distance from others I think that would give me more pause, he noted. Biometrics 1988;44:104960. "That doesn't mean [transmission is] impossible if you're packed together in a place that's only sort of open air and if people are sharing food or kissing or drinking. And while things are admittedly looking up, infection rates are low and (in many locations . On September 1, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended the newly updated COVID-19 booster vaccines. Household contacts were defined as any persons who spent one or more overnights in the residence with the index patient during their potentially infectious period. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. . Despite Omicron's rapid spread, the good news is that COVID-19 strategies like vaccination, masking, and social distancing could slow its transmission. In each instance, infectious amounts of Omicron were recovered for longer amounts of time than the samples of the original virus. The second thing to think about is, what is your medical situation and the circumstances of others in your household? Transmission occurred within 67.8% (124 of 183) of households, and the overall AR among household contacts with known status was 52.7% (227 of 431) (Figure 2). it all depends on the context, the space and the type of activity. There isnt a tried-and-true rule. So far, however, BA.5 does not appear to be any more severe than other previous variants or subvariants, said Dr. Blaivas. Experts say staying outdoors for dinners during the holiday may help reduce transmissions. Multicomponent COVID-19 prevention strategies, including up-to-date vaccination, isolation of infected persons, and mask use at home, are critical to reducing Omicron transmission in household settings. Ahead, experts explain what you need to know about this subvariant, outdoor transmission, and staying safe as you enjoy your summer. Why Arent More People Getting It? "If you're standing outside, shoulder-to-shoulder with hundreds of unmasked strangers [for an extended period of time], it certainly has the potential to mimic a cramped, indoor setting," said Dr. Weissenbach. A total of 3,558 persons were considered potentially eligible for participation in the investigation, among whom jurisdictions attempted to contact 1,461 (41.1%). All Rights Reserved. These cookies may also be used for advertising purposes by these third parties. But if you're not able to keep. they should expect rapid transmission of COVID-19 that will prevent students . The median interval between index patient onset date and household contact onset date was 4 days (IQR=27 days) (Figure 1). It's still going to die very quickly in the environment.". These cookies may also be used for advertising purposes by these third parties. 4:12 AM EDT, Thu April 14, 2022, 'Our priorities are skewed here': Doctor weighs in on Covid laxity, HINES, ILLINOIS - APRIL 01: Army veteran Robert Hall waits the recommended 15 minutes to see if he will have any adverse reactions after receiving his second COVID-19 booster shot at Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital on April 01, 2022 in Hines, Illinois. Heres what experts know and dont know about COVID spread outdoors: At this point, we are very familiar with uncertainty when it comes to COVID. What . Of course, none of us want to get infected by the coronavirus, and no one should be trying to get it. Are there settings where people should consider masking outdoors? On February 25, 2022, this report was posted online as an MMWR Early Release. To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). Of course, omicron is the most transmissible variant yet. She has written about COVID-19 for many publications, including The New York Times, Kaiser Health News, Medscape and The Washington Post. In just over five months, there were 22,334 confirmed SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infections, 31 hospitalizations and no COVID-19 deaths. Lopez AS, Hill M, Antezano J, et al. The other/multiple races category included American Indian or Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, another race specified by the person not in the provided list, or multiple races. Getty Images; Muge Cevik The CDC based its outdoor transmission figure on research largely pulled. Omicron contains troubling characteristics that might make it more transmissible particularly among people who have already gotten and recovered from Covid, according to the WHO. Vaccinated residents with breakthrough infections were significantly less likely to transmit them: 28% versus 36% for those who were unvaccinated. Third, COVID-19 prevention measures (vaccination, isolation, and mask use) are likely highly correlated within households, and the identified risk factors might not be independent predictors of transmission. The COVID Public Health Emergency Is Ending Soon. Being outside would be lower exposure risk than being indoors, even with good ventilation and filtration; both of those options would be lower risk than being indoors with poor ventilation or filtration. On the higher end of the spectrum, mumps has an R0 of 12; measles tops the list at 18. Offers may be subject to change without notice. It also helps to evaporate the liquid droplets in which it is. Overall, engaging in outdoor activities is less risky than going to indoor venues. BOSTON -- As Omicron cases are sweeping the nation, some experts are warning that being outdoors may not provide as much protection as before. Corresponding authors: Julia M. Baker, nwk0@cdc.gov; Jasmine Y. Nakayama, qdt2@cdc.gov. Beta, Delta, and Omicron, to name a few. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Research suggests that outdoor transmission, when it does occur, typically results from prolonged close contact. First, this investigation used a convenience sample of persons with sequence-confirmed Omicron infections, and participation in this investigation was voluntary. Its safer than indoorsbut there are still some risks to keep in mind as COVID cases spike again. These data points raise a sort of transmission paradox. Someone who coughed onto their hand and then touched a door could seed virus there and transmit it to you if you touch that door and then your nose or mouth. While most of the western countries gradually lifted the border control and quarantine measures, elimination strategy aiming at "zero COVID-19" remains in . How Well Do Rapid COVID Tests Detect Omicron and Its Subvariants? Once you head inside, especially in packed areas with low air turnover, there tends to be high transmission of the virus, so plan accordingly. * The interval was estimated by calculating the number of days between the symptom onset or positive test result date for the index patient and that of the household contact. Sect. Omicron sublineages are still increasing and cause increased transmission and infect A sharp spike in coronavirus cases, in part fueled by the new Omicron variant, is prompting health experts to urge that New Year's Eve gatherings be toned down. "When a variant is slated to be more or less transmissible than another, it applies as a blanket statement regardless of setting,'' said Dr. Weissenbach. Id prefer that these events require proof of vaccination and same-day negative test result. SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) Variant Transmission Within Households Four U.S. Jurisdictions, November 2021February 2022. These findings are subject to at least six limitations. Surfaces play less of a role than aerosol transmission, but its still good practice to wash your hands well or to use hand sanitizer if you shake peoples hands and touch frequently used surfaces. Roberts added that since BA.5 is more transmissible than prior variants indoors, it is likely that its more transmissible outdoors, too. Models for longitudinal data: a generalized estimating equation approach. Experts explain the barriers around getting itand when access might be expanded. BA.5 caught the attention of public health experts after it quickly displaced the very transmissible BA.1 and BA.2 omicron subvariants. But the same factors that make indoor settings riskycrowded spaces, poor air circulation, the sharing of food and drinkcan also increase your chances of contracting COVID outside. If multiple factors below indicate higher transmission risk, you should consider adding more prevention actions. But BA.5s heightened transmissibility will ultimately lead to more indoor and outdoor spread. Outdoors Lower Risk Well-ventilated indoors Moderate Risk Poorly ventilated indoors Higher Risk At this point, the definition of outdoors isnt exactly agreed upon, Roberts noted. SELF may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Theres free communication of the air with the atmosphere, and that really disperses aerosols [that can carry COVID-19], so the risk would be a lot lower, Roberts explained. Her 2020 investigation into COVID-19 infections among health-care workers won best in-depth series at the RNAO Media Awards. Regular sanitization of toys and other items in daycares and schools where children are at play may also be helpful, he said, given how often kids put items directly in their mouths. This is because fresh air disperses and dilutes the virus as well as helping to evaporate . Omicron subvariant BA.5 may be the most contagious version of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that we've seen yetand even situations that have seemed relatively low-risk as of late, like outdoor gatherings, may now pose a greater threat. All rights reserved. Cookies used to make website functionality more relevant to you. Experts said people might consider wearing masks in crowded outdoors spaces to prevent infection. Professor Semple said COVID-19 does not spread outside (Image: Sky News) 7,000 ventilation units have been sent out to schools across the country to tackle Omicron (Image: Getty Images) He noted . Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Being outside, Wallace points out, only helps improve one of the variables for Covid risk: ventilation. The study authors themselves did note the limitations at play, including the controlled, lab-based setting and differences in the droplets used in the research compared to respiratory droplets, which may all impact the stability of the virus. The 15-minute rule no longer applies. Thus, whether someone was tested and how many times they were tested depended on individual and social factors. It's nice to see people's expressions and feel a sense of normalcy.". Among the 204 excluded households, 143 did not meet eligibility criteria, 47 were excluded because the index patient could not be identified, 11 were excluded because household contacts had confirmed or probable cases and were known to have a SARS-CoV-2 exposure other than exposure to the index patient, and three were excluded when sequencing results (pending at the time of interview) indicated a variant that was not Omicron. Here's what you need to know. Alleged COVID . Updated Accessed February 23, 2022. But are new subvariants changing that? Roberts stressed that COVID spread outdoors is much less common than spread indoors, but nothing is perfect. Risk is additive. The median index patient age was 37 years (IQR=2354 years). MedRxiv: "Transmission event of SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant reveals multiple vaccine breakthrough infections." Earlier this week the CDC updated its recommendations to encourage a second COVID-19 booster shot for certain immunocompromised individuals and people over the age of 50 who received an initial booster dose at least 4 months ago. Masks are still effective at protecting you against COVID-19 even if you're the only person wearing one. In any community where transmission is very intense, I would say its best to be in small groups, Patel said. Given how quickly information about omicron is changing, we decided to reach out to Dr. Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, a professor at the UCSF School of Medicine, to . Ensuring you are able to distance even in an outdoor setting can only help reduce the risk of spread, Roberts stated. When do infected people transmit the virus? Ive talked before about how the new guidelines from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can be used here. BA.5's increased transmission and our diminished immune defenses mean that COVID-19 transmission outdoors has become more likely. "The virus is fragile; these mutations haven't changed that. Were hearing anecdotal reports of people testing positive who think they got it outdoors, said Dr. Scott Roberts, associate medical director of Infection Prevention at Yale New Haven Hospital. Two jurisdictions attempted to contact all households on their line lists, and two jurisdictions attempted to contact households on their line lists based on specimen collection date. ARs were consistently high across household contact and index patient age groups, including those aged 04 years. Studies conducted prior to omicron show that being outside greatly reduces your risk of infection with the coronavirus. That leaves it mostly to individuals to protect themselves. Discover new workout ideas, healthy-eating recipes, makeup looks, skin-care advice, the best beauty products and tips, trends, and more from SELF. How can I reduce my risk of getting COVID-19? The questions below are written in past tense to help you assess the likelihood that you were infected when you were around a person with COVID-19. Index patients were defined as the first person within each household to recently experience COVID-19compatible symptoms or have a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result. Its no surprise, then, that more and more stories have emerged of people speculating that they caught COVID-19 outside, which can be a bit unsettling to hear as cases continue to rise in many parts of the country. Index dates occurred during November 21, 2021February 3, 2022. Among index patients, 172 (94.0%) had a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result (confirmed COVID-19) and 11 (6.0%) had COVID-19compatible symptoms but without SARS-CoV-2 test confirmation (probable COVID-19). It's also not clear exactly how much virus is needed for a productive SARS-CoV-2 infection, Banerjay said, with more research needed. Should indoor mask mandates come back? BA.5's mutations have also allowed it to sneak past the body's immune system more easily. Terms & Conditions. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. So what's the takeaway for Canadians who are trying to navigate a reopening society while mitigating the risk of falling ill with COVID-19? Why it may be harder to catch COVID-19 from surfaces than we first thought, Acknowledge COVID-19 is airborne, Lancet report urges as more evidence mounts, Omicron subvariant BA.2 raises new questions about puzzling evolution of virus behind COVID-19, Why an Omicron infection alone might not offer the immune boost you'd expect. A used mask is seen on beach at marine protected area located in St. Martin's Island, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh on March 13. Experts believe the virus that causes COVID-19 spreads mainly from person to person. You could get COVID even if you have a brief encounter with someone who is infected. The likelihood of catching Covid-19 outdoors is low but increases in crowded areas or at events where people are close together for long periods of time . If they dont, they are less safe, and I certainly understand if others want to avoid them for the time beingjust as I understand if others will want to keep attending them. Received a booster dose was defined as having received an additional dose after completion of the primary COVID-19 vaccination series before the index date. Omicron Subvariants Mean Outdoor Covid Risk Is Different Now Media outlets report on the rise of omicron BA.5, and how subvariants like this are leading to new covid surges and have. Health and Human Services. On Twitter: @milepostmedia. Greater COVID transmissibility due to Omicron variants means greater . Saving Lives, Protecting People, https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.12.27.21268278v1, https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.01.09.22268984v1, https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.08.16.21262121v2, https://www.ustravel.org/research/monthly-travel-data-report, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. While its less dangerous than being indoors when someone sneezes, theres still a risk of infection from a very contagious strain like BA.5. Please check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the most updated recommendations. The volume of droplets used in the lab research five microlitres might sound small, but it's "actually huge compared to droplets we usually spew out," she said. If you need to go back and make any changes, you can always do so by going to our Privacy Policy page. We used to say it would take about 15 minutes of close contact to catch the virus if around from someone who was infected. Ad Choices. When asked about the new Hong Kong results, he said any findings based on the "same old techniques" in a laboratory don't change that, since figuring out transmission is about more than just how viruses survive within controlled settings. My husband and I are vaccinated and boosted. The XBB.1.5 variant is a highly transmissible descendant of omicron that is now estimated . May 6, 2022. The new year arrived with an omicron-fueled surge in COVID cases in Alameda County, causing widespread concern and resulting in a number of event cancellations and temporary business closures that recall the pandemic's earlier days.. July 11, 2022 / 5:37 PM "The extra virus stability on surfaces may be one possible factor and should be taken into consideration when recommending control measures against the infection.". Thank you for taking the time to confirm your preferences. Persons with sequence-confirmed Omicron infection and their household contacts were interviewed. Even if you cant take time off, you can still take care of yourself. Dr. Rohde says nothing has fundamentally changed after omicron, except for peoples general attitudes about the pandemic. We have two little kids who are too young to be vaccinated, but we also recognize that its going to be very difficult to keep them from getting the coronavirus given how transmissible this new variant is. Since COVID-19 is transmitted through contact with respiratory fluids carrying the infectious SARS-CoV-2 virus, a person can be exposed by an infected person coughing or speaking near them. Dr. Dumois: The Omicron variant is far more contagious than anything we ve seen with this coronavirus, so this is very much a different virus than any of the variants we have seen before. You can bring back some things that are lower risk or higher value but still take some precautions. Because SARS-CoV-2 testing was not available for all household contacts, ability to detect asymptomatic infections was limited. The virus can also be carried on microscopic aerosols that are expelled by breathing. Omicron may hang around longer on surfaces than original virus, early findings suggest | CBC News Loaded. SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Cookies used to enable you to share pages and content that you find interesting on CDC.gov through third party social networking and other websites. Less likely to transmit them: 28 % versus 36 % for every five weeks to how long are. Down arrows to review and enter to select for longer amounts of time than samples... Popular and see how visitors move around the site conditions do n't reflect real-world scenarios [. Take time off, you should consider adding more Prevention actions at 18 equation approach how move. 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