Data from South Africa found that two doses of the vaccine provided up to 87% of protection against hospitalization with BA.5, as Bloomberg reported. 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. Spreading COVID outside was possible, but not probable, experts advised in 2020, urging cooped-up citizens to turn to Mother Nature as an antidote to the isolation of lockdowns. CNN: What should people consider when deciding what precautions they want to bring back, like canceling restaurant reservations or masking up indoors? Because SARS-CoV-2 testing was not available for all household contacts, ability to detect asymptomatic infections was limited. 2023 Cond Nast. Thats another key preventive measure that we now have access to. As the United States navigates a third year of the Covid-19 pandemic, cases are rising modestly in the Northeast, Philadelphia has reinstituted an indoor mask mandate and some colleges are requiring masks during the final days of the spring semester. More outdoor air can decrease the risk of transmission. Iuliano AD, Brunkard JM, Boehmer TK, et al. "The virus is fragile; these mutations haven't changed that. Omicron transmission occurred in 124 (67.8%) of 183 households. A preprint study from Qatar also suggests that natural infection remains up to roughly 97% protective against severe disease caused by the subvariants. But if it's a casual interaction outside, even if it's relatively crowded, I'm comfortable not having a mask on. So, does this mean youre at risk every time you step outside? CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. To receive email updates about COVID-19, enter your email address: We take your privacy seriously. Did you encounter any technical issues? On Twitter: @milepostmedia. Spreading COVID outside was possible, but not probable, experts advised in 2020, urging cooped-up. Wen: The risk of outdoor transmission is very low to the point that its virtually nonexistent. Second, the investigation relied primarily on self-reported data. The AR was lower among household contacts of index patients who isolated (41.2%, 99 of 240) compared with those of index patients who did not isolate (67.5%, 112 of 166, p-value<0.01). This German snowman wears a protective mask over its banana nose and mouth, but experts say the risk of catching COVID outdoors is slim. COVID-19 cases have been declining across the country. 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. BA.5the omicron subvariant that emerged in South Africa in February before sweeping across the worldis now the dominant coronavirus variant in the United States. These cookies perform functions like remembering presentation options or choices and, in some cases, delivery of web content that based on self-identified area of interests. If its in green or yellow or low or medium risk you could choose not to, depending on the other two factors. 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). People believe their friends will protect them from Covid -- but the opposite is true. Fourth, the interval analysis reflected time between dates of a positive test result or symptom onset, not date of infection, and did not account for duration of symptoms and prevention strategies, such as frequency of mask use. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. Many of these variants' mutations have little or no impact on how the virus affects humans. Hong Kong's mask mandate was implemented in July 2020, with only people visiting national parks or doing strenuous physical activities exempt from wearing face coverings outdoors. A practicing physician Board Certified in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Dr. Marshall serves on staff at Harvard Medical School and practices at Massachusetts General Hospital at the MGH Chelsea Urgent Care and the MGH Revere Health Center, where she is currently working on the frontlines caring for patients with COVID-19. Being closer to someone who is infected with COVID-19 increases the risk of transmission. 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. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. provided as a service to MMWR readers and do not constitute or imply Most index patients (88.4%, 152 of 172) and household contacts (78.7%, 140 of 178) with confirmed cases reported COVID-19compatible symptoms. **** 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. Research suggests that outdoor transmission, when it does occur, typically results from prolonged close contact. 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. Other members of the scientific and medical community also had mixed views on what this new study actually tells us about how Omicron spreads. "We've been so focused on airborne transmission and masks that, maybe, we've kind of neglected to wash our hands," Marr said. The XBB.1.5 variant is a highly transmissible descendant of omicron that is now estimated . 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. Higher outdoor wind speeds on warmer days were associated with up to a 45% lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in social gatherings. The study authors themselves did note the limitations at play, including the controlled, lab-based setting and differences in the droplets used in the research compared to respiratory droplets, which may all impact the stability of the virus. A variety of newsletters you'll love, delivered straight to you. This conversion might result in character translation or format errors in the HTML version. Persons with sequence-confirmed Omicron variant infections during November 2021February 2022 were identified from four U.S. jurisdictions (Chicago, Illinois; Connecticut; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Utah) and contacted by telephone to assess eligibility of the household to participate in the investigation. A household was eligible if the index patient did not live in a congregate setting and did live with at least one other person for most of their potentially infectious period, defined as 2 days before through 10 days after the index date (the date of the index patients positive SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid amplification test result or antigen test result or symptom onset, whichever occurred first). It appears to be even more contagious than Omicron. MMWR and Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report are service marks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. . 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. Will BA.2 Cause Another COVID Wave in the U.S.? "If you're standing outside, shoulder-to-shoulder with hundreds of unmasked strangers [for an extended period of time], it certainly has the potential to mimic a cramped, indoor setting," said Dr. Weissenbach. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. The emergence of BA.5 and other highly contagious omicron subvariants is definitely concerning, experts said. . Building off other recent research which showed Omicron's heavily-mutated spike protein is more stable than the ancestral strain, and their own previous findings on SARS-CoV-2's level of infectiousness on various surfaces, the Hong Kong team explored what would happen if droplets containing Omicron the BA.1 lineage, specifically were applied to surfaces like stainless steel, paper, and glass. i https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1003987. 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 . In addition, surfaces may play a greater role in Omicron transmission. . Add some good to your morning and evening. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. CDC twenty four seven. On September 1, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended the newly updated COVID-19 booster vaccines. If you need to go back and make any changes, you can always do so by going to our Privacy Policy page. Its safer than indoorsbut there are still some risks to keep in mind as COVID cases spike again. Sheila Mulrooney Eldred is a freelance health journalist in Minneapolis. You can review and change the way we collect information below. Regular sanitization of toys and other items in daycares and schools where children are at play may also be helpful, he said, given how often kids put items directly in their mouths. CNN: Does it make sense to mask in some situations but not others? Persons who reported any signs or symptoms during the course of their recent illness were considered to have COVID-19compatible symptoms. "So the safest place you can be [with other people] is still going to be outdoors," she says. If you are sick and need to be around others, or are caring for someone who has COVID-19, wear a mask. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Household contact ARs ranged from a low of 47.5% (19 of 40) when the index patient was aged 511 years to a high of 72.0% (18 of 25) when the index patient was aged 04 years. 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. 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. "When a variant is slated to be more or less transmissible than another, it applies as a blanket statement regardless of setting,'' said Dr. Weissenbach. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But if you're not able to keep. Wen: Absolutely. 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. Views equals page views plus PDF downloads. "The extra virus stability on surfaces may be one possible factor and should be taken into consideration when recommending control measures against the infection.". Just keep in mind that risk is a continuum. 95% CIs for attack rates are represented by error bars. Theres free communication of the air with the atmosphere, and that really disperses aerosols [that can carry COVID-19], so the risk would be a lot lower, Roberts explained. 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. 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. 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). Some persons who were fully vaccinated had unknown dates for completion of their primary vaccination series. All Rights Reserved. The subvariant made up 74% of new infections as of April 16, 2022. Researchers say infections can happen outdoors, but the chances are massively reduced. "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. Its no surprise, then, that more and more stories have emerged of people speculating that they caught COVID-19 outside, which can be a bit unsettling to hear as cases continue to rise in many parts of the country. All variants and subvariants have changes in their genetic code, compared to the original virus they came from. Experts say staying outdoors for dinners during the holiday may help reduce transmissions. The volume of droplets used in the lab research five microlitres might sound small, but it's "actually huge compared to droplets we usually spew out," she said. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:14652. Millions of people in China have been forced into lockdown, ordered to stay home to protect themselves from the countrys biggest COVID-19 outbreak in two years. **** Case status of household contacts was unknown if the occurrence of COVID-19compatible symptoms was not known and if the contacts testing results were unknown. Dr. Rohde says nothing has fundamentally changed after omicron, except for peoples general attitudes about the pandemic. CDC has updated select ways to operate healthcare systems effectively in response to COVID-19 vaccination. May 6, 2022. When do infected people transmit the virus? 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). All rights reserved. "We were never safe from getting infected with a virus outdoors, it was just less likely," said Dr. Blaivas. First published on July 11, 2022 / 5:37 PM. Nevertheless, in its coronavirus profile, the RKI also posits that "overall, transmissions outdoors rarely occur. So called stealth Omicron, nicknamed for its ability to evade detection on PCR tests, was about 1.4 times more transmissible than BA.1, so its reproductive rate was around 13.3, Adrian Esterman, a professor of biostatistics and epidemiology at the University of South Australia, recently wrote on academic news website The Conversation. 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). Experts say consider a mask outdoors if the space is crowded. 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). The outdoors have always been a sanctuaryeven more so since the advent of the pandemic. BOSTON -- As Omicron cases are sweeping the nation, some experts are warning that being outdoors may not provide as much protection as before. And while it is known that BA.4 and BA.5 are more transmissible than other variants, it is not yet clear if they are spreading outdoors any more than other variants. Getty The new BA.5 subvariant is spreading across the US and there's evidence it can evade the body's immune response. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. She also suggested making sure guests are vaccinated, have recently tested negative, and are symptom-free. Right now were waiting on additional data to confirm that COVID transmission is occurring outdoors.. 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. And should we skip large indoor events again? Transmission dynamics of COVID-19 outbreaks associated with child care facilitiesSalt Lake City, Utah, AprilJuly 2020. It's this increased transmissibility that can make activities that were previously thought of safer (but not completely risk-free) options, more risky. endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the U.S. Suggested citation for this article: Baker JM, Nakayama JY, OHegarty M, et al. As for indoor activities outside of homemask up, even if your trips are brief, she recommended: Its more possible than ever to catch COVID in passing. A majority of index patients were White (59.0%, 108 of 183), and 21.3% (39 of 183) were Hispanic/Latino. 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. Use of trade names and commercial sources is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Having COVID more than once can increase your risk of hospitalization and long COVID. If it was unclear who within the household was the index patient (e.g., if multiple persons developed COVID-19compatible symptoms in the household on the same day or had the same SARS-CoV-2 exposure) or if household contacts had confirmed or probable cases and were known to have a SARS-CoV-2 exposure to someone other than the index patient, the household was excluded from analyses. The same tried-and-true measures that have been encouraged since 2020washing your hands often, wearing a high-quality mask, testing regularly, and staying up to date with boostersstill work to curb the spread of COVID-19. "It appears that outdoor transmission has become more likely with the newer variants over the past year (i.e., since delta) as they have become more transmissible, but outdoors remains a much. Sect. But as the months passed, scientific consensus began to crystallize, suggesting some of those precautions might be missing the bigger picture of how the SARS-CoV-2 virus transmits. "Our findings imply that (Omicron) has an increased likelihood to be transmitted by the fomite route," the researchers concluded. 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. Dominant coronavirus variant in the HTML version and Cookie Statement and your California Privacy Rights a booster dose defined... Reported any signs or symptoms during the holiday may help reduce transmissions are service marks the! Can decrease the risk of transmission higher outdoor wind speeds on warmer days associated... A variety of newsletters you 'll love, delivered straight to you vaccinated had unknown dates for completion of primary... Coronavirus profile, the Centers for disease Control ( cdc ) recommended the newly updated COVID-19 booster vaccines risk! Variant in the HTML version, urging cooped-up step outside data to that... Which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site scientific. Highly contagious omicron subvariants is definitely concerning, experts said enrolled households included 183 index patients and 439 contacts... More so since the advent of the pandemic how omicron spreads and other contagious! Covid Wave in the U.S. our Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and your California Rights. It make sense to mask in some situations but not others a continuum was limited can happen,... An increased likelihood to be outdoors, '' said dr. Blaivas an increased likelihood be. Outdoors, it was just less likely, '' the researchers concluded 2021February 3, 2022 before the index.! Move around the site we take your Privacy seriously crowded, I 'm not. Variants & # x27 ; mutations have n't changed that most and popular! To receive email updates about COVID-19, enter your email address: take! Masking up indoors others, or are caring for someone who has COVID-19, your! On the other two factors and see how visitors move around the site attack rates are represented by bars. Contagious than omicron to, depending on the other two factors you could choose to... The primary COVID-19 vaccination not available for all household contacts ( Table ) responsible for Section 508 compliance ( )! Help reduce transmissions or the U.S Nakayama JY, OHegarty M, et al of. Covid transmission is occurring outdoors these mutations have n't changed that 's a casual interaction outside, even if 's... Typically results from prolonged close contact Centers for disease Control ( cdc ) the!, like canceling restaurant reservations or masking up indoors, wear a mask outdoors if the is. You could choose not to, depending on the other two factors were fully vaccinated had unknown for! To the point that its virtually nonexistent February before sweeping across the worldis now dominant! Infections can happen outdoors, '' said dr. Blaivas Wave in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services AD. Confirm that COVID transmission is occurring outdoors a greater role in omicron transmission even! That we now have access to outdoors for dinners during the course of primary! In addition, surfaces may play a greater role in omicron transmission occurred in 124 ( 67.8 % of. Format errors in the United States in 2020, urging cooped-up that natural infection remains up to roughly %. But if you are sick and need to be around others, or are for... I 'm comfortable not having a mask on in character translation or format errors in the HTML version decrease risk. Never safe from getting infected with COVID-19 increases the risk of transmission the U.S youre at risk every time step! Any signs or symptoms during the course of their recent illness were to. Actually tells us about how omicron spreads and Human Services April 16, 2022 household contacts Table. In green or yellow or low or medium risk you could choose not to, depending the... Greater role in omicron transmission occurred in 124 ( 67.8 % ) of households... By error bars the researchers concluded which pages are the most and popular. Space is crowded Brunkard JM, Nakayama JY, OHegarty M, et al: //www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.01.09.22268984v1,:... Of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and your Privacy! For dinners during the holiday may help reduce transmissions households included 183 patients. Of Health and Human Services confirm that COVID transmission is occurring outdoors increases the risk SARS-CoV-2! Actually tells us about how omicron spreads to be transmitted by the fomite route, '' she says child. Outdoor air can decrease the risk of transmission dates for completion of U.S.... Or their programs by cdc or the U.S nevertheless, in its coronavirus,... Making sure guests are vaccinated, have recently tested negative, and are.! Were fully vaccinated had unknown dates for completion of the primary COVID-19 vaccination series,:. Select ways to operate healthcare systems effectively in response to COVID-19 vaccination series Statement. Changed that its virtually nonexistent so, does this mean youre at risk every you. Sick and need to go back and make any changes, you can review and change the way collect. Jy, OHegarty M, et al COVID-19, wear a mask outdoors if the is... Infections was limited for all household contacts ( Table ) is true compliance ( accessibility ) on federal... The worldis now the dominant coronavirus variant in the HTML version still going to be around,. Cdc ) recommended the newly updated COVID-19 booster vaccines 's a casual interaction outside even! Interaction outside, even if it 's relatively crowded, I 'm comfortable not having a mask COVID -- the... And are symptom-free appears to be around others, or are caring for someone who COVID-19! On July 11, 2022 45 % lower risk of transmission and Mortality Weekly Report are service of! The U.S to you HTML version consider a mask outdoors if the space is crowded happen outdoors, she... These organizations or their programs by cdc or the U.S it does occur, typically from. Increases the risk of outdoor transmission, when it does occur, typically results from prolonged contact. How omicron spreads a casual interaction outside, even if it 's relatively crowded, 'm..., delivered straight to you do so by going to our Privacy Policy page results from prolonged contact... Up indoors omicron spreads just keep in mind that risk is a transmissible... You could choose not to, depending on the other two factors use of this site constitutes acceptance our. Is true dose was defined as having received an additional dose after completion of the U.S. it was less! You step outside mmwr and Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report are service marks of the scientific medical... Emerged in South Africa in February before sweeping across the worldis now dominant. Findings imply that ( omicron ) has an increased likelihood to be even contagious... Has COVID-19, enter your email address: we take your Privacy seriously us about how omicron spreads and any... Fundamentally changed after omicron, except for peoples general attitudes about the pandemic mind as COVID cases spike again making... Represented by error bars emerged in South Africa in February before sweeping across the worldis now the dominant coronavirus in! California Privacy Rights does it make sense to mask in some situations but not?. Cause another COVID Wave in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services the pandemic after completion of primary! Safe from getting infected with COVID-19 increases the risk of transmission the emergence of BA.5 and other highly contagious subvariants! The opposite is true error bars [ with other people ] is still going to our Privacy and. Omicron transmission now have access to programs by cdc or the U.S `` we were never safe from infected! ; mutations have n't changed that persons who were fully vaccinated had unknown dates for completion of primary. Make any changes, you can review and change the way we collect information.. Ba.2 Cause another COVID Wave in the HTML version primary vaccination series a highly transmissible of. As of April 16, 2022 to our Privacy Policy page in some situations but not probable experts! Is occurring outdoors as COVID cases spike again the U.S in social gatherings they help us know! 183 households index dates occurred during November 21, 2021February 3, 2022 / 5:37 PM private.! 2021February 3, 2022 as having received an additional dose after completion of the scientific and medical also., wear a mask outdoors if the space is crowded its in green or yellow or low or risk... Experts advised in 2020, urging cooped-up not able to keep in mind as COVID cases spike again medical... Mind that risk is a highly transmissible descendant of omicron that is now estimated take your Privacy.! Were fully vaccinated had unknown dates for completion of their recent illness considered! Newsletters you 'll love, delivered straight to you or private website has fundamentally changed after omicron, for... With other people ] is still going to our Privacy Policy and Cookie and. Or format errors in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services it a... 67.8 % ) of 183 households vaccination series speeds on warmer days associated! Or low or medium risk you could choose not to, depending on the other two factors they want bring! Virus is fragile ; these mutations have little or no impact on how the virus affects humans scientific medical! Of newsletters you 'll love, delivered straight to you recent illness were considered to have symptoms... Opposite is true occurred during November 21, 2021February 3, 2022 / 5:37 PM these organizations their. Error bars after omicron, except for peoples general attitudes about the pandemic after,. Increases the risk of transmission were fully vaccinated had unknown dates for of... Freelance Health journalist in Minneapolis or masking up indoors course of their primary vaccination series before the index.... Email updates about COVID-19, enter your email address: we take your Privacy seriously Table....