Covid Airborne Risk & implications: OHCOW CMAJ clarification, PHAC Evidence Brief & more

OHCOW hygienist John Oudyk and former colleague/hygienist Dorothy Wigmore wrote a fact checking response to correct the scientific interpretation of Chinese healthcare Covid impact and PPE inferences in “RE: Chinese SARS-CoV-2 Protective Measures and Healthcare Worker Infection Experience Compared to the Ontario Experience” which was recently published by the Canadian Medical Association Journal and concludes: “It is instructive to contrast the Chinese experience with that of Ontario. At present (as of July 29) 6,438 HCWs have been infected comprising 16.5% of the confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ontario – many more “thousands of healthcare workers” than were infected in China. Clearly the HCW infection experience has been worse in Ontario and, contrary to Ng-Kamstra et al.’s assessment, Canadians have a lot to learn from the Chinese experience.” And CMAJ notes: “Your response has provided a forum for readers and authors to have an ongoing dialogue about the ultimate impact of this information. The Journal is most appreciative of your contribution.”

Join the dialogue and let the government know about your interest by requesting, reading and sharing the recent summary prepared for the Public Health Agency of Canada that finally acknowledges evidence for aerosol transmission: Evidence Brief on Aerodynamic Analysis and Aerosolization of SARS-CoV-2 or request from PHAC by emailing: phac.emergingsciencesecretariat-secretariatdessciencesemergentes.aspc@canada.ca

For more information on airborne transmission risks and solutions check out the presentations and videos from OHCOW’s recent Occ-Covid Symposium as well as the position papers and June Science Review table presentation at https://www.ohcow.on.ca/response-to-downgrade-of-ppe-precautions-for-covid-19.html