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Published on: November 7, 2020
Infection Prevention during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic
Patrick Reich1, Alexis Elward1
1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, Campus Box 8116, St Louis, MO 63110-1093, USA.
Abstract:
COVID-19 is a nonspecific viral illness caused by a novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, and led to an ongoing global pandemic. Transmission is primarily human-to-human via contact with respiratory particles containing infectious virus. The risk of transmission to health care personnel is low with proper use of personal protective equipment, including gowns, gloves, N95 or surgical mask, and eye protection. Additional measures affecting the risk of transmission include physical distancing, hand hygiene, routine cleaning and disinfection, appropriate air handling and ventilation, and public health interventions such as universal masking and stay-at-home orders.
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