Similar ARs were observed across age groups for household contacts, including those aged 04 years (51.2%, 21 of 41). But as we head into offices, schools and public spaces, there are some things we can control like masking and others that are not in our control, such as whether our offices have improved ventilation. 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 virus is fragile; these mutations haven't changed that. and/or the original MMWR paper copy for printable versions of official text, figures, and tables. On several types of paper, infectious amounts of ancestral SARS-CoV-2 were only recoverable for five to 15 minutes compared to more than 30 minutes for Omicron. 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. Cookies used to make website functionality more relevant to you. 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]). For this investigation, a confirmed case in a household contact was defined as a positive SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid amplification test result or antigen test result (through local or home testing)** 14 days after the index date. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. Once a saver, always a saver: Warren Buffett says generational wealth isnt what it used to be in his annual letter Its bigger than the housing crisis: An influential economist just blamed NIMBYs for American decline, and Elon Musk CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Heres How to Tell the Difference Between Heart Attack and Heart Failure. Many of these variants' mutations have little or no impact on how the virus affects humans. Finally, this investigation occurred during a period when testing and sequencing capacity was strained and when many persons traveled and attended gatherings, increasing the possibility that household contacts had unknown SARS-CoV-2 exposures outside the home (6). . CNN: Does it make sense to mask in some situations but not others? It again depends on whats going on in your community, what your medical situation is, and how much you want to keep avoiding Covid-19. appreciated. Patel stressed that if youre going to crowded outdoor events like weddings, sports games and entertainment events, you should follow health precautions while we wait on data about the current subvariants spread outdoors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the subvariant is causing approximately 65% of the countrys COVID-19 cases at the time of publication. Rodney E. Rohde, PhD, a virologist and professor of clinical laboratory science at Texas State University, tells SELF that many people have seen the outdoors as a get out of jail free cardbut that has never really been the case. 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. When possible, vaccination data were supplemented with or verified using state or jurisdiction registry data. Fifth, this investigation did not definitively distinguish between secondary and potential tertiary cases within a household. And in a study of 64 college football games during the 2020 season involving 1,190 athletes, researchers at Texas A&M University found zero spread of COVID during game play based on three postgame PCR tests over the course of a week likely because of the outdoor setting and short duration of close contact, experts say. Experts warn omicron variants can spread more easily outdoors; prior infections provide less immunit. The main way people get infected, most leading public health officials and scientists now agree, isthrough exposure to this virus through the air, not through contaminated surfaces known scientifically as "fomites.". (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images), A young woman and man stand next to each other. While its less dangerous than being indoors when someone sneezes, theres still a risk of infection from a very contagious strain like BA.5. Its a nasty stomach bugand cases have been rising since August. For both index patients and household contacts, the onset date was either the date of SARS-CoV-2 positive test result or date of symptom onset, whichever occurred first. Having COVID more than once can increase your risk of hospitalization and long COVID. A Warner Bros. Vaccinated residents with breakthrough infections were significantly less likely to transmit them: 28% versus 36% for those who were unvaccinated. Masks work very well, though here I would urge that people wear an N95 or equivalent mask, such as a KN95 or KF94. More at sheilaeldred.pressfolios.com. See an archive of our FAQs here. Activities like coughing, singing, shouting, or breathing heavily due to exertionincreasethe risk of transmission. Linsey Marr, a researcher on the airborne transmission of viruses like SARS-CoV-2 and a professor at Virginia Tech, agreed that the results show Omicron seems to survive better, which could be contributing to its heightened transmissibility. Experts said people might consider wearing masks in crowded outdoors spaces to prevent infection. CNN: Can you give us a quick refresher what protective measures are effective against this very contagious BA.2 variant? This study aims to explore the relationship between the doses of inactivated COVID-19 vaccines received and SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infection in the real-world setting, so as to preliminarily evaluate the protective effect induced by COVID-19 vaccination. Ventilation is very important. CNN: What should people consider when deciding what precautions they want to bring back, like canceling restaurant reservations or masking up indoors? Updated COVID-19 booster vaccines are here. BA.5's increased transmission and our diminished immune defenses mean that COVID-19 transmission outdoors has become more likely. Ensuring you are able to distance even in an outdoor setting can only help reduce the risk of spread, Roberts stated. Even so, he said the findings suggest it's worth being cautious. Partially vaccinated was defined as having only 1 dose of a 2-dose series or completing the primary vaccination series <2 weeks before the index date. 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. Learning about how COVID-19 spreads and the factors that can increase or decrease that risk can help you make informed choices. As such, Omicron has a slightly shorter clearance phase, 5.35 days as compared to 6.23 days for Delta, as Omicron has a lower peak viral load. According to Drs. Earlier studies showed that the fewer cases of outdoor transmission almost always occurred during prolonged, close contact. Research suggests that outdoor transmission, when it does occur, typically results from prolonged close contact. A probable case in a household contact was defined as the presence of COVID-19compatible symptoms in a household contact during the same 14-day period, but without confirmation by a SARS-CoV-2 test. Vaccination status was based primarily on self-report; participants were categorized as having received a booster dose, fully vaccinated (<5 or 5 months before the index date), partially vaccinated, or unvaccinated., The interval between the index date and onset of symptoms or positive test result in a household contact was calculated. Are there settings where people should consider masking outdoors? 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. To help us with these questions, I spoke with CNN Medical Analyst Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and professor of health policy and management at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health. For example, talking face-to-face with someone who is unmasked and very, very close to you is risky no matter where you are, especially if it's for a prolonged period of time. Even small quantities of the virus floating around could infect you if you are not wearing a mask, said Dr. Janak Patel, director of the Division of Infectious Disease and Immunology at the University of Texas Medical Branch, adding that this could be the case for certain outdoor settings, too a situation that was generally considered OK for the past two-plus years of the pandemic. Persons who only had signs or symptoms (and no positive SARS-CoV-2 test result) were considered to have a probable case. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Partially vaccinated was defined as having only 1 dose of a 2-dose series or completing the primary vaccination series <2 weeks before the index date. CNN is only US outlet living through Shanghai lockdown. Wen: You need to decide whats best for you, with the understanding that one-way masking with an N95 or equivalent works very well that is, even if others around you arent masking, you are still well-protected if you wear a well-fitting, high-quality mask at all times. Dr. Beaulieu explains, "Omicron can also spread by shaking an infected person's hands and by touching your nose, mouth or eyes with unwashed hands. Thats different if you are immunocompromised or live with someone who is elderly with multiple medical conditions. So if you find yourself worrying about not being able to distance yourself in a crowded outdoor situation with people of unknown vaccination status, slip a mask on. Greater COVID transmissibility due to Omicron variants means greater . 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. How to Protect Yourself During Outdoor Events, CDC Stops Reporting COVID-19 Cases on Cruise ShipsHere's How You Can Still Stay Safe, COVID-19 Boosters Are Being Updated To Target Omicron SubvariantsHere's Why, What to Know About COVID Reinfections as BA.5 Cases Continue to Rise, Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 Symptoms: What To Know, BA.2.75 Is the Newest Omicron SubvariantHere's What We Know So Far. In addition, surfaces may play a greater role in Omicron transmission. Right now were waiting on additional data to confirm that COVID transmission is occurring outdoors.. Masks, vaccination, social distancing, testing and hand washing all play a role, too. This activity was reviewed by CDC and was conducted consistent with applicable federal law and CDC policy.. Omicron BA.5 May Increase the Risk of Outdoor TransmissionHere's How to Stay Safe Although being outdoors is overall the safer option, when a virus is more contagious, it's more contagious. Updated A SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariant, BA.2, became the dominant strain of COVID-19 in the United States. All this to say your protection outdoors isnt what it was in 2020and it may be time to begin thinking more critically about outdoor gatherings. Since November 2021, Omicron has been the dominant severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant that causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and has continuously impacted human health. Welcome toFortune Well, a new destination that will curate the essential stories working professionals need to thrive in their careers and personal lives. The median interval between index patient onset date and household contact onset date was 4 days (IQR=27 days) (Figure 1). 2023 Cond Nast. Upon taking a closer look at the new subvariant, scientists discovered that BA.5 has mutations in the spike protein that may allow it to evade the immune systems first line of defenseantibodiesraising the likelihood that itll cause a new wave of infections and reinfections, especially in people with low or waning immunity. First published on July 11, 2022 / 5:37 PM. Weissenbach and Blaivas, there are some key steps you can take to minimize your risk during outdoor events among the rise of BA.5 cases. Are there certain settings where COVID-19 can spread more easily? Omicron sublineages are still increasing and cause increased transmission and infect Accessed February 23, 2022. "It can happen outside," says Dr. Don Milton, an infectious disease aerobiologist at the University of Maryland School of Public Health. Durch Klicken auf Alle akzeptieren erklren Sie sich damit einverstanden, dass Yahoo und unsere Partner Ihre personenbezogenen Daten verarbeiten und Technologien wie Cookies nutzen, um personalisierte Anzeigen und Inhalte zu zeigen, zur Messung von Anzeigen und Inhalten, um mehr ber die Zielgruppe zu erfahren sowie fr die Entwicklung von Produkten. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice| Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information| Ad Choices For example, if you work in an office that has pretty good ventilation and is well-spaced, and requires proof of vaccination, you may consider not masking in that setting. Once you head inside, especially in packed areas with low air turnover, there tends to be high transmission of the virus, so plan accordingly. Yes, you can catch BA.5 outside, but its more likely that youll catch it indoors than outdoors. You would want to have a higher threshold for caution depending on your familys medical situation. Trends in disease severity and health care utilization during the early Omicron variant period compared with previous SARS-CoV-2 high transmission periodsUnited States, December 2020January 2022. According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), BA.5 accounts for 65% of all COVID-19 cases in the U.S.; in just two months, the subvariant managed to outcompete BA.2 and BA.2.12.1the two previously dominant subvariants. The information in this story is what was known or available as of publication, but guidance can change as scientists discover more about the virus. Interferon lambda, an injectable drug in development, is already being compared to Paxlovid. Iuliano AD, Brunkard JM, Boehmer TK, et al. 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. On Twitter: @milepostmedia. All authors have completed and submitted the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors form for disclosure of potential conflicts of interest. And yes, that holds true for omicron, he believes. BA.5's mutations have also allowed it to sneak past the body's immune system more easily. Third, how important is it to you to continue to avoid Covid-19? CNN: Should people avoid indoor gatherings, knowing that outbreaks can happen? Transmission can occur within a household setting on the first day an index patient is infected or on any subsequent day during which they are still shedding viable virus. Study participants who contributed their time and information; Olivia Almendares, Sarah E. Smith-Jeffcoat, Emeka Oraka, CDC; Charles Powell, Avery Gartman, Connecticut Department of Public Health; Ashley Becht, Hallie Hutchison, Eugene Olshansky, Rachel Berg, Adrianna Koczwara, Lisa Addis, Michael Deneufbourg, Sarah Love, Isaac Ghinai, Peter Ruestow, Shamika Smith, Daniel Liguori, Frances Lendacki, Janna Kerins, Stephanie Black, Chicago Department of Public Health; Stefan Green, Hannah Barbian, Sofiya Bobrovska, Regional Innovative Public Health Laboratory, Chicago Department of Public Health and Rush University; Barbara Cuene, Stephen Fendt, Jennifer Lares, Carri Marlow, Nandhu Balakrishnan, Katherine Akinyemi, Addie Skillman, Milwaukee Health Department; Leisha Nolen, Alexis Molina, Shai Miguel, Alix Elliston, April Jorgensen, Austin Newbold, Garnet Kwader, Sam Andersen, Utah Department of Health. What is the difference between people who are asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic? Index patients and household contacts participated in voluntary telephone interviews to retrospectively collect information on demographic characteristics, SARS-CoV-2 testing, symptoms, COVID-19 vaccination history, previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, index patient isolation practices (defined as always or sometimes isolating in a room by oneself at any point during their potentially infectious period), and index patient mask use practices (defined as ever wearing a mask at home during their potentially infectious period). The original Wuhan strain of COVID-19 had a reproductive ratealso known as an R0 or R-naught valueof around 3.3, meaning that each infected person infected another 3.3 people, on average. 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. check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What This Means For You. i https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1003987. 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 . How Well Do Rapid COVID Tests Detect Omicron and Its Subvariants? 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Yet Omicron, the highly contagious variant known for slipping around some of our best defences, might be surviving longer on everyday objects than its early predecessor raising questions about which basic precautions to prevent surface-based transmission might still be warranted. Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Heres What You Should Know About BA.5 Symptoms and Severity, A Devastating Number of Americans Will Experience Long COVID. Some persons who were fully vaccinated had unknown dates for completion of their primary vaccination series. Wen: Id consider three things. If you need to go back and make any changes, you can always do so by going to our Privacy Policy page. Song JS, Lee J, Kim M, et al. Someone coughing and sneezing will exhale droplets that can transmit the virus. Then came Omicron, with an reproductive rate almost twice as large: 9.5. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, several coronavirus variants have emerged as the virus, SARS-CoV-2, continues to mutate and evolve. Omicron transmission occurred in 124 (67.8%) of 183 households. Powered and implemented by Interactive Data Managed Solutions. If one person was wearing a mask, the risk of transmission isdecreased, and if both people were wearing masks, the risk issubstantially decreased. Risk is additive. Saving Lives, Protecting People, Given new evidence on the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant, CDC has updated the, The White House announced that vaccines will be required for international travelers coming into the United States, with an effective date of November 8, 2021. 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 AR among household contacts with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection was 40.9% (9 of 22) compared with 59.8% (183 of 306) among those without previous infection (p-value=0.08). Did you encounter any technical issues? "From a virus standpoint, there's no indication that omicron is behaving differently [in outdoor settings]," says Dr. Preeti Malani, an infectious disease professor at the University of Michigan who co-authored an editorial on the research on football teams. 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 . Though the BA.5 wave hasnt caused a significant spike in hospitalizations or deaths in South Africa, certain locations hit by BA.5, like Portugal, have seen an uptick in hospitalizations. Should indoor mask mandates come back? Of those with known SARS-CoV-2 infection history, eleven (6.1%) of 181 index patients and nine (4.7%) of 192 household contacts with confirmed or probable COVID-19 reported a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. Persons with probable cases included symptomatic persons who did not have SARS-CoV-2 testing and symptomatic persons who received negative SARS-CoV-2 test results. Emerg Infect Dis 2022;28:7569. Lopez AS, Hill M, Antezano J, et al. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. That will reduce not only this coronavirus transmission but other respiratory and gastrointestinal pathogens, too. the date of publication. More outdoor air can decrease the risk of transmission. While outdoor transmission of COVID-19 in low-risk settings is "generally uncommon," Dr. Adalja says that it's . Use of trade names and commercial sources is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Among 439 household contacts, cases were identified in 227 (51.7%), including 178 (40.5%) confirmed and 49 (11.2%) probable cases; among the remaining household contacts, 204 (46.5%) were classified as nonCOVID-19 patients and eight (1.8%) as having unknown status. Viral particles disperse more quickly outside, thanks to wind speed and air currents. And the omicron variant acquires a more effective coating than the delta variant, meaning it could stay infectious outside the body for longer. The omicron sub-lineages are so new that infectious disease experts are still measuring their potential impact, even in outdoor settings. Omicron infection resulted in high ARs among household contacts in this investigation, particularly among those who lived with index patients who were not vaccinated or who did not practice prevention measures (isolating or ever wearing a mask at home). 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). No other potential conflicts of interest were disclosed. But there are some people who want to avoid it at all costs and others who accept that if they engage in travel, resume parties, dine in restaurants and engage in other pre-pandemic activities, they will have some level of risk. Thats another key preventive measure that we now have access to. A new study out of Hong Kong suggests Omicron might be surviving longer on everyday objects than its early predecessor raising questions about which basic precautions to prevent surface-based transmission might still be warranted. But you might still decide to mask in crowded, indoor places like grocery stores and train stations. Daten ber Ihr Gert und Ihre Internetverbindung, wie Ihre IP-Adresse, Browsing- und Suchaktivitten bei der Nutzung von Yahoo Websites und -Apps. CNN: What about outdoors? Of the 562 households successfully contacted, 175 (31.1%) declined to participate, and 204 (36.3%) were excluded; 183 (32.6%) were enrolled. Enrolled households included 183 index patients and 439 household contacts (Table). But the likelihood of transmission grew by 6% for every five weeks . Department of Health and Human Services. How does COVID-19 spread between people? Fully vaccinated was defined as completion of the primary vaccination series 2 weeks before the index date and stratified into completion <5 months or 5 months before the index date. Total coronavirus infection numbers remain low in Japan. SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 552a; 44 U.S.C. Mallika Marshall, MD is an Emmy-award-winning journalist and physician who has served as the HealthWatch Reporter for CBS Boston/WBZ-TV for over 20 years. This German snowman wears a protective mask over its banana nose and mouth, but experts say the risk of catching COVID outdoors is slim. 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). "Hand hygiene and frequent disinfection of common touch surfaces in public areas are highly recommended.". With previous coronavirus variants, like alpha and delta, being outdoors provided good protection against infection, but with the newest Omicron subvariants, being at an outdoor event could be somewhat risky. Paxlovid Is Super Promising. The short answer here is yes, you can get infected with the BA.5 subvariant, even in outdoor settings. 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%). Among 431 household contacts, 227 were classified as having a case of COVID-19 (attack rate [AR] = 52.7%). Vaccination status was not always verified, and the analysis did not account for potential variations in prevention practices (e.g., frequency of mask use). They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site.