Modelling the joint effects of single occupancy and N95 respirators on COVID-19 outbreaks in hospital wards

Abstract

Background: Outbreaks of respiratory pathogens on hospital wards present challenges for control of hospital-acquired infections. Aim: To investigate the potential for synergistic effects between structural controls (single-occupancy patient rooms) and routine precautions (use of N95 respirators by healthcare staff), in preventing and mitigating outbreaks of airborne pathogens on hospital wards. Methods: This study applied an agent-based extension of the Wells–Riley model of airborne pathogen exposure to simulate COVID-19 outbreaks on hospital wards. Secondary attack rates and the sizes of outbreaks resulting from introduction of unrecognized cases in hospital wards with double- or single-occ..