Cleaning hands at . BOSTON -- As Omicron cases are sweeping the nation, some experts are warning that being outdoors may not provide as much protection as before. If they dont, they are less safe, and I certainly understand if others want to avoid them for the time beingjust as I understand if others will want to keep attending them. Omicron sublineages are still increasing and cause increased transmission and infect Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This, to me, is no different from a decision to go back to the gym, resume travel or dine indoors in restaurants. Then came Omicron, with an reproductive rate almost twice as large: 9.5. You could decide to go to an outdoor lunch with your colleagues, but skip the happy hour in a packed bar. Id prefer that these events require proof of vaccination and same-day negative test result. Earlier this week the CDC updated its recommendations to encourage a second COVID-19 booster shot for certain immunocompromised individuals and people over the age of 50 who received an initial booster dose at least 4 months ago. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. Should You Be Worried About Outdoor Transmission During the BA.5 Surge? The median index patient age was 37 years (IQR=2354 years). All variants and subvariants have changes in their genetic code, compared to the original virus they came from. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:14652. 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. Experts believe the virus that causes COVID-19 spreads mainly from person to person. CDC twenty four seven. In other words, 10 people crowded at an al fresco table doesnt equal safety just because there are only a handful of people around. Omicron started off as three subvariants (that is, a group of viruses from the same parent virus) all appearing in late November 2021 in South Africa: BA.1, BA.2 and BA.3. The 15-minute rule no longer applies. Thus, the latest dominant COVID subvariants have a reproductive rate of around 18.6, tying or surpassing measles, the worlds most infectious viral disease, according to Esterman. She has written about COVID-19 for many publications, including The New York Times, Kaiser Health News, Medscape and The Washington Post. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. And, if you dont feel well, stay home. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. 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. In that case, they should definitely feel free to wear a mask when in outdoor and more crowded settings. 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 . Welcome toFortune Well, a new destination that will curate the essential stories working professionals need to thrive in their careers and personal lives. Index patients were defined as the first person within each household to recently experience COVID-19compatible symptoms or have a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result. How Omicron spreads so fast is the question of the moment. She is also a host and contributing editor for Harvard Health Publications (HHP), the publishing division of Harvard Medical School. Why Are There So Many Omicron SubvariantsAnd What Can They Tell Us About the Future of the Pandemic? This was true for the other variants too, Linsey Marr, PhD, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Virginia Tech who studies viral transmission, tells SELF. Upgrading one's mask is especially important in the face of omicron. Its a nasty stomach bugand cases have been rising since August. Persons who reported any signs or symptoms during the course of their recent illness were considered to have COVID-19compatible symptoms. And at this stage of the pandemic, we have to find ways to do things that are meaningful to us. A confirmed case in a household contact was receipt of a positive SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid amplification test result or antigen test result (through local or home testing) reported 14 days after the index date. they should expect rapid transmission of COVID-19 that will prevent students . Omicron Infection Timeline: When Symptoms Start and How Long They Last. Fewer Americans 'thriving' today than past year, poll finds, but these hacks can help. 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). You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. 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. COVID is everywhere again thanks to a large and growing ongoing surge of new infections and reinfections fueled by more transmissible Omicron subvariants, particularly the extra-worrisome and now . Outside gatherings are a prime example of this. Saving Lives, Protecting People, https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.12.27.21268278v1, https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.01.09.22268984v1, https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.08.16.21262121v2, https://www.ustravel.org/research/monthly-travel-data-report, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The new year arrived with an omicron-fueled surge in COVID cases in Alameda County, causing widespread concern and resulting in a number of event cancellations and temporary business closures that recall the pandemic's earlier days.. Masks are still effective at protecting you against COVID-19 even if you're the only person wearing one. Persons were provided with the following list of signs and symptoms compatible with COVID-19: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea or abdominal pain during the course of their recent illness. Physical distancing, exposure time, and protective measures can all influence your likelihood of getting infected with COVID-19or avoiding the virus. Wen: The risk of outdoor transmission is very low to the point that its virtually nonexistent. "So the safest place you can be [with other people] is still going to be outdoors," she says. All rights reserved. part 56; 42 U.S.C. 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. "You're never going to find that much virus in a small area that you touch," he said. ", Lauren Pelley covers health and medical science for CBC News, including the global spread of infectious diseases, Canadian health policy, and pandemic preparedness. A used mask is seen on beach at marine protected area located in St. Martin's Island, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh on March 13. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:341346. That leaves it mostly to individuals to protect themselves. No. Many of these variants' mutations have little or no impact on how the virus affects humans. According to an Epidemiological Update from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), "the current growth advantage for the BA.4 and BA.5 variants of concerncompared to the dominant variant BA.2 is probably due to their ability to evade immune protection against infection induced by prior infection and/or vaccination, particularly if this has waned over time." Corresponding authors: Julia M. Baker, nwk0@cdc.gov; Jasmine Y. Nakayama, qdt2@cdc.gov. CDC COVID-19 Response Team. Patel said that it all depends on the context, the space and the type of activity. There isnt a tried-and-true rule. Wind speeds of less than 5.5 miles per hour (mph) seemed to . Suggested citation for this article: Baker JM, Nakayama JY, OHegarty M, et al. You should wear a mask if its impossible to create distance (ideally a well-fitted one, like a KN95) and take a COVID test before you go out, Patel said. check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Heres what experts know and dont know about COVID spread outdoors: At this point, we are very familiar with uncertainty when it comes to COVID. But if it's a casual interaction outside, even if it's relatively crowded, I'm comfortable not having a mask on. The COVID-19 subvariant of Omicron, BA.5, is spreading quickly in the U.S. . Overall, engaging in outdoor activities is less risky than going to indoor venues. It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. "The virus is fragile; these mutations haven't changed that. Roberts stressed that COVID spread outdoors is much less common than spread indoors, but nothing is perfect. (The other layers are vaccination, masks and physical distancing.). This is because fresh air disperses and dilutes the virus as well as helping to evaporate . What are the implications for public health practice? Terms & Conditions. Omicron Symptoms Can Look Like AllergiesHere's How to Tell the Difference, People With Food Allergies May Have Lower Risk of COVID-19 Infection, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. cases are rising modestly in the Northeast, Philadelphia has reinstituted an indoor mask mandate, BA.2 is a subvariant of the Omicron variant. Overall, spending time outside is a safer mechanism of prevention against COVID because of the unlimited ventilation. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021;70:17314. Wear a mask outdoors if you're going to be in close proximity to others. 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. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that you get tested 5-7 days after "close contact with a person with suspected or confirmed COVID-19." The CDC defines close contact as being less than 6 feet away from an infected person for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. Comments are welcome while open. Greater transmissibility means greater transmissibility in any setting, indoors or outdoorseven if outside is still safer, Maimuna Majumder, an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and a computational epidemiologist at Boston Childrens Hospital, recently told NPR. Ventilation is very important. To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). 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. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Multicomponent COVID-19 prevention strategies, including up-to-date vaccination, isolation of infected persons, and mask use at home, are important to reduce Omicron transmission in household settings. Since COVID-19 is transmitted through contact with respiratory fluids carrying the infectious SARS-CoV-2 virus, a person can be exposed by an infected person coughing or speaking near them. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images), A young woman and man stand next to each other. Outdoors Lower Risk Well-ventilated indoors Moderate Risk Poorly ventilated indoors Higher Risk Accessed February 23, 2022. Depending on the outdoor situation youre in, it changes the ventilation dynamics of that area and can alter the risk of COVID for people in that [space], Roberts said, adding that hed feel pretty comfortable in a socially distant, outdoor setting with nothing covering the space (like tents, tarps, overhangs, and enclosures) even with the BA.5 variant. Julia M. Baker, PhD1,2,*; Jasmine Y. Nakayama, PhD1,2,*; Michelle OHegarty, PhD1; Andrea McGowan, MPH1,3; Richard A. Teran, PhD2,4; Stephen M. Bart, PhD2,5; Katie Mosack, PhD6; Nicole Roberts, MPHTM7; Brooke Campos7; Alina Paegle7; John McGee7; Robert Herrera7; Kayla English, MPH4; Carla Barrios4,8; Alexandria Davis, MD4; Christine Roloff, MS4; Lynn E. Sosa, MD5; Jessica Brockmeyer, MPH5; Lindsey Page, MPH6; Amy Bauer6; Joshua J. Weiner, MS6; Manjeet Khubbar, MSc6; Sanjib Bhattacharyya, PhD6; Hannah L. Kirking, MD1; Jacqueline E. Tate, PhD1 (View author affiliations). Outdoor settings remain safer than indoor gatherings, from a Covid transmission standpoint. Models for longitudinal data: a generalized estimating equation approach. It is a lot more contagious, so you could be in an outdoor setting and if you are close to someone who isn t wearing a mask and you re not wearing a mask, you . The emergence of BA.5 and other highly contagious omicron subvariants is definitely concerning, experts said. It's been almost two years since the world has completely changed thanks to COVID, and while we understand the virus more, people are still catching COVID and cases are spiking in certain areas. The virus can also be carried on microscopic aerosols that are expelled by breathing. Fresh air disperses and dilutes the virus. Roberts stressed that COVID spread outdoors is much less common than spread indoors, but nothing is perfect. . That being said, not all outdoor spaces are created equal. **** A negative SARS-CoV-2 test result was reported on the day of or after symptom onset by 38.8% (19 of 49) of household contacts classified as having probable COVID-19 and 68.6% (140 of 204) of those classified as not having COVID-19. The symptoms arent always as similar as you might think. New research is pointing to the answer, 2 years into the pandemic, burning questions remain about COVID-19 and how we fight it, scientific consensus began to crystallize, CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices. The short answer here is yes, you can get infected with the BA.5 subvariant, even in outdoor settings. 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). If multiple factors below indicate higher transmission risk, you should consider adding more prevention actions. "If you wash your hands not obsessively, but just thoughtfully and carefully that's going to reduce any transmission you see out there," Evans said. ARs among household contacts were estimated overall, by household contact characteristics, and by index patient characteristics, by dividing the number of household contacts with confirmed and probable cases by the total number of household contacts within a given stratum. First published on July 11, 2022 / 5:37 PM. "Hand hygiene and frequent disinfection of common touch surfaces in public areas are highly recommended.". By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. 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