Safety protocols in an exercise facility result in no detectable sars-CoV2 spread: A case study

Authors

Burak T. Cilhoroz, Syracuse University
Lara R. DeRuisseau, Le Moyne College

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Physiological Reports

Abstract

Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) disease has been a public health emergency of international concern with millions of confirmed cases globally. Closed environments with reduced ventilation contribute to the spread of COVID-19, including superspreading events. Exercising in closed places further increases the risk for transmission. Therefore, many fitness facilities were closed as part of mandated shutdowns early in the pandemic. Evidence-based safety protocols have now emerged and substantially reduce the risk of transmission. We report three positive cases of SARS-CoV-2 identified at a Dojo exercise facility in Manlius, NY, at three distinct time points. All cases were present in the Dojo 2 days prior to symptoms, a time period considered to be highly infectious. The safety protocols included universal mask wearing (no valves), multiple high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, and reduced capacity which resulted in no known spread of COVID-19.

DOI

10.14814/phy2.14967

Publication Date

7-1-2021

Recommended Citation

Cilhoroz, Burak T. and DeRuisseau, Lara R., "Safety protocols in an exercise facility result in no detectable sars-CoV2 spread: A case study" (2021). Basic Sciences Faculty Publications. 77. https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.14967
https://collections.uhsp.edu/basic-sciences_pubs/77