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Comparison of Airborne SARS-CoV-2 Omicron and Pre-Delta Variants Around Infected Patients
Carl-Johan Fraenkel1,2, Sara Thuresson3, Patrik Medstrand4
1Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
Journal of Medical Virology
|February 20, 2025
Summary
Airborne SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) was less prevalent in patient rooms during the Omicron wave compared to earlier variants. This study suggests Omicron
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Increased transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 has been observed during its evolution.
- Hospital transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has been a significant concern.
- The Omicron variant's role in airborne transmission within hospitals was previously unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze SARS-CoV-2 presence in room air of hospitalized Omicron-infected patients.
- To compare airborne SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in patient rooms during the Omicron wave versus pre-Delta variants.
- To investigate if Omicron variant infections correlate with increased airborne SARS-CoV-2 in hospital settings.
Main Methods:
- Air sampling was conducted in patient rooms of hospitalized individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2.
- Samples were collected during the early Omicron wave and compared with historical data from pre-Delta variant waves.
- Statistical analysis was performed, adjusting for potential confounding factors.
Main Results:
- A lower percentage of positive air samples (5%) was observed during the Omicron wave compared to earlier waves (12%).
- Fewer patients had detectable SARS-CoV-2 in their room air during the Omicron wave.
- No statistically significant difference was found between variants, but a trend towards lower airborne prevalence with Omicron was noted.
Conclusions:
- The findings do not support the hypothesis that increased aerosol emission from Omicron-infected patients explains higher hospital transmission risks.
- Airborne SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in patient rooms may not have increased with the Omicron variant.
- Further research is needed to fully understand SARS-CoV-2 airborne transmission dynamics across different variants in healthcare settings.
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