End-to-end SARS-CoV-2 transmission risks in sport: Current evidence and practical recommendations

Jones, Ben, Phillips, Gemma, Valeriani, Federica, Edwards, Thomas, Adams, Emily ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0816-2835, Bonadonna, Lucia, Copeland, Robert, Cross, Matthew, Dalton, Caroline, Hodgson, Lisa, Jimenez, Alfonso, Kemp, Simon, Patricios, Jon, Romano Spica, Vincenzo, Stokes, Keith, Weed, Mike and Beggs, Clive (2021) 'End-to-end SARS-CoV-2 transmission risks in sport: Current evidence and practical recommendations'. South African Journal of Sports Medicine, Vol 33, Issue 1, pp. 1-17.

Text FULL End-to-end COVID-19 risk management for team sport athletes FINAL TE.docx - Accepted Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (4MB)

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused disruption to professional and recreational sports across the world. The SARS-CoV-2 virus can be transmitted by large respiratory droplets that behave ballistically, and exhaled aerosol droplets, which potentially pose a greater risk. This review provides a summary of end-to-end SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk factors for sport and an overview of transmission mechanisms to be considered by all stakeholders. The risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission is greatest indoors, and primarily influenced by the ventilation of the environment and (close) proximity of the individuals. The SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk outdoors, via water, and from fomites appear less that initially thought. Mitigation strategies include good end-to-end scenario planning of activities to optimise physical distancing, mask wearing and hygiene practice (both individuals, environment and equipment). The identification and removal of infectious individuals should be undertaken using temperature and COVID-19 symptom screening and the use of diagnostic monitoring tests to identify asymptomatic individuals. Using adequate video footage, data from proximity technology, and subject interviews the identification and isolation of ‘close contacts’ should also be undertaken to limited SARS-CoV-2 transmission within sporting environments and into the wider community. Sports should aim to undertake activities in low SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk environments, of which outdoor provides an optimal mechanism.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	QW Microbiology and Immunology > Viruses > QW 160 Viruses (General). Virology WA Public Health > WA 105 Epidemiology WA Public Health > Preventive Medicine > WA 110 Prevention and control of communicable diseases. Transmission of infectious diseases
Faculty: Department:	Biological Sciences > Department of Tropical Disease Biology
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.17159/2078-516X/2021/v33i1a11210
Depositing User:	Cathy Waldron
Date Deposited:	16 Nov 2021 11:06
Last Modified:	16 Jun 2023 09:21
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/19436

Statistics

View details

Actions (login required)

Edit Item