Transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) From Asymptomatic and Presymptomatic Individuals in Healthcare Settings Despite Medical Masks and Eye Protection

Michael Klompas; Meghan A Baker; Diane Griesbach; Robert Tucker; Glen R Gallagher; Andrew S Lang; Timelia Fink; Melissa Cumming; Sandra Smole; Lawrence C Madoff; Chanu Rhee

doi:10.1093/cid/ciab218

Transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) From Asymptomatic and Presymptomatic Individuals in Healthcare Settings Despite Medical Masks and Eye Protection

Clin Infect Dis. 2021 Nov 2;73(9):1693-1695. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciab218.

Authors

Michael Klompas^{1

2}, Meghan A Baker^{1

2}, Diane Griesbach², Robert Tucker², Glen R Gallagher³, Andrew S Lang³, Timelia Fink³, Melissa Cumming³, Sandra Smole³, Lawrence C Madoff³, Chanu Rhee^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
² Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
³ Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Abstract

We describe 3 instances of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission despite medical masks and eye protection, including transmission despite the source person being masked, transmission despite the exposed person being masked, and transmission despite both parties being masked. Whole genome sequencing confirmed perfect homology between source and exposed persons' viruses in all cases.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; infection control; masking; viral transmission.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

COVID-19*
Delivery of Health Care
Humans
Masks
SARS-CoV-2*

Grants and funding

6U54CK000484-04-02/CDC Prevention Epicenters Program