New review of evidence highlights importance of adequate ventilation to prevent spread of COVID-19 in indoor settings

Press release issued: 29 June 2022

Some public venues may need better ventilation to prevent the spread of COVID-19 following growing evidence of the potential for 'long distance' airborne transmission of the disease, suggests research published by The BMJ today [29 June].

A review of 18 existing studies led by the University of Bristol and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) indicates that airborne transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus from an infectious individual to others located more than two metres away can happen in different indoor non-healthcare settings.

However, the researchers stress that the evidence from these studies was deemed to be of very low certainty, and say continued investigation into the potential for long distance airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is needed.

Paper: 'Long distance airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2: rapid systematic review' by Daphne Duval, Jennifer C Palmer et al. in The BMJ

Editorial: 'Airborne SARS-CoV-2' by Stephanie J Dancer in The BMJ

Read the full University of Bristol news item