Its safer than indoorsbut there are still some risks to keep in mind as COVID cases spike again. A new study out of Hong Kong suggests Omicron 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. Risk is additive. The information in this story is what was known or available as of publication, but guidance can change as scientists discover more about the virus. "It is more transmissible than other previous variants because it can evade previous immunity from COVID infection and vaccination.". Physical distancing, exposure time, and protective measures can all influence your likelihood of getting infected with COVID-19or avoiding the virus. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Preliminary research, including a small study by Milton's lab, suggests that people infected with omicron don't breathe out higher viral loads than people infected with delta. 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 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). The risk of outdoor transmission is exponentially lower than indoor transmission, and a well-ventilated, less crowded space also has much lower risk than people packed together in an unventilated space. Experts said people might consider wearing masks in crowded outdoors spaces to prevent infection. Experts say outdoor transmission has always been a thingwith alpha, delta, omicron, and now BA.5. 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. 95% CIs for attack rates are represented by error bars. Masks, vaccination, social distancing, testing and hand washing all play a role, too. If multiple factors below indicate higher transmission risk, you should consider adding more prevention actions. Its a nasty stomach bugand cases have been rising since August. Fully vaccinated was defined as completion of the primary vaccination series 2 weeks before the index date and stratified into completion <5 months or 5 months before the index date. "If you wash your hands not obsessively, but just thoughtfully and carefully that's going to reduce any transmission you see out there," Evans said. The more crowded an outdoors space is, the more it begins to mimic an indoor space in terms of our exposure to shared air.. With the global evolution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), for almost 2 years, various control strategies have been utilized around the world. Jurisdictions identified persons who were considered potentially eligible for participation through obtaining laboratory line lists of persons who had sequence-confirmed Omicron (B.1.1.529 lineage and its sublineages) or whose sequencing results were pending. Thanks to a unique cluster of mutations on the spike protein, the part of the virus that latches to our cells, BA.5 is believed to be the most contagious strain of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, so far. Persons with probable cases included symptomatic persons who did not have SARS-CoV-2 testing and symptomatic persons who received negative SARS-CoV-2 test results. With the COVID-19 omicron variant causing another surge in cases, K-12 schools across the United States are faced with the choice of whether to stay with in-person instruction. URL addresses listed in MMWR were current as of Lets say you work in a well-ventilated office, everyone around you is vaccinated, and you are well-distanced from the next person. Some persons who were fully vaccinated had unknown dates for completion of their primary vaccination series. Heres how that might affect crucial funding, access to tests, and case counts. "BA.5 is currently the predominant strain in circulation," epidemiologist Matt Weissenbach, DrPH, senior director of clinical affairs at Wolters Kluwer Health, told Health. We reserve the right to close comments at any time. The small sample size, especially for certain stratum-specific ARs, may limit overall generalizability of the results. Experts warn omicron variants can spread more easily outdoors; prior infections provide less immunit. The ARs among household contacts by index patient vaccination status were lowest among those who received a booster dose (42.7%, 47 of 110) and those who were fully vaccinated <5 months before the index date (43.6%, 17 of 39). Department of Health and Human Services. But others, such as the genetic changes in the delta variant, can make the coronavirus . Monthly travel data report. 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 . BA.5's increased transmission and our diminished immune defenses mean that COVID-19 transmission outdoors has become more likely. "If you are young and healthy, then the risk from COVID remains very low, just like before, but that may not be the case for older and chronically ill people," said Dr. Blaivas. Cookies used to make website functionality more relevant to you. CNN: What should people consider when deciding what precautions they want to bring back, like canceling restaurant reservations or masking up indoors? And, if you dont feel well, stay home. Slightly less transmissible were the 1918 pandemic strain of flu, which had an estimated R0 of 2, as does Ebola. It is a lot more contagious, so you could be in an outdoor setting and if you are close to someone who isn t wearing a mask and you re not wearing a mask, you . Outdoor activities are inherently safer than indoor gatherings, Dr. Marr says. Wen: The risk of outdoor transmission is very low to the point that its virtually nonexistent. The subvariant made up 74% of new infections as of April 16, 2022. See an archive of our FAQs here. Beta, Delta, and Omicron, to name a few. New studies suggest that BA.4 and BA.5, currently sweeping the U.S. and countries around the globe, have a growth advantage over BA.2 similar to the growth advantage BA.2 had over BA.1. (The other layers are vaccination, masks and physical distancing.). Health talked to Dr. J. Wes Ulm, MD, Ph.D. a physician-researcher and part of the Heroes of the COVID Crisis series, and Robert G. Lahita MD, Ph.D. ("Dr. Bob"), Director of the . Omicron Subvariants Mean Outdoor Covid Risk Is Different Now Media outlets report on the rise of omicron BA.5, and how subvariants like this are leading to new covid surges and have. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. When do infected people transmit the virus? Klicken Sie auf Einstellungen verwalten um weitere Informationen zu erhalten und Ihre Einstellungen zu verwalten. And people who are vaccinated likely carry less infectious virus particles than people who are not. Most. 241(d); 5 U.S.C. But you might still decide to mask in crowded, indoor places like grocery stores and train stations. But being outside is still much, much safer than being indoors. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice| Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information| Ad Choices In this investigation, a confirmed case in a household contact was defined as having received a positive SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid amplification test result or antigen test result 14 days after the index date (date of the index patients symptom onset or positive SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid amplification test result or antigen test result), and a probable case in a household contact was defined as the presence of COVID-19compatible symptoms during the same 14-day period but without a positive SARS-CoV-2 test confirmation. Analysis of AR among household contacts excluded eight persons with unknown case status (persons for whom it was not known whether COVID-19compatible symptoms were present and whether SARS-CoV-2 testing had occurred [or if testing occurred, the results were unknown]). "These 'upgrades' in viral performance mean the virus can spread more quickly than prior variants.". 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). Persons who reported any signs or symptoms during the course of their recent illness were considered to have COVID-19compatible symptoms. In addition, surfaces may play a greater role in Omicron transmission. The short answer here is yes, you can get infected with the BA.5 subvariant, even in outdoor settings. Experts explain the barriers around getting itand when access might be expanded. Ad Choices. Fresh air disperses and dilutes the virus. "Most people that get it outdoors are still getting into groups with friends, neighbors and family when outdoors and that is a good way to spread infection when it is present," he said. All Rights Reserved. Of course, omicron is the most transmissible variant yet. 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. Yes, you can catch BA.5 outside, but its more likely that youll catch it indoors than outdoors. Yes, you can get BA.5 outdoors, but you could also contract other COVID variants outside, says Thomas Russo, M.D., professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New. Once a saver, always a saver: Warren Buffett says generational wealth isnt what it used to be in his annual letter Its bigger than the housing crisis: An influential economist just blamed NIMBYs for American decline, and Elon Musk CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. There are several ways this can happen: Droplets or aerosols. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. How should people weigh which precautions they want to follow? Requiring face coverings in outdoor school settings is now a local decision. That, combined with the sheer volume of cases, could mean that there could be more cases of outdoor transmission, says Dr. Jill. Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. These cookies may also be used for advertising purposes by these third parties. CNN: What about outdoors? A confirmed case in a household contact was receipt of a positive SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid amplification test result or antigen test result (through local or home testing) reported 14 days after the index date. Ahead, experts explain what you need to know about this subvariant, outdoor transmission, and staying safe as you enjoy your summer. cases are rising modestly in the Northeast, Philadelphia has reinstituted an indoor mask mandate, BA.2 is a subvariant of the Omicron variant. "The virus is fragile; these mutations haven't changed that. Surfaces play less of a role than aerosol transmission, but its still good practice to wash your hands well or to use hand sanitizer if you shake peoples hands and touch frequently used surfaces. While its less dangerous than being indoors when someone sneezes, theres still a risk of infection from a very contagious strain like BA.5. 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. In order to outcompete, successful COVID variants have become more transmissible with time. Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted. Questions or messages regarding errors in formatting should be addressed to That means the exact timings might not pan out for people living their daily lives, though Marr did feel the comparison between the ancestral virus and Omicron was notable. But the same factors that make indoor settings riskycrowded spaces, poor air circulation, the sharing of food and drinkcan also increase your chances of contracting COVID outside. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. Id prefer that these events require proof of vaccination and same-day negative test result. These data points raise a sort of transmission paradox. Roberts added that since BA.5 is more transmissible than prior variants indoors, it is likely that its more transmissible outdoors, too. CNN: Can you give us a quick refresher what protective measures are effective against this very contagious BA.2 variant? Interviewers encouraged household contacts who had not received testing to receive testing if the telephone interview occurred 14 days after the index date and instructed them to call back with test results. Ventilation is very important. "But for something that's very efficient at spreading like BA.5 is, it won't be as protective.". check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC doesn't currently recommend wearing a mask outdoors. To receive email updates about COVID-19, enter your email address: We take your privacy seriously. 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. MMWR and Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report are service marks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. CNN: What if you have to go back to the office, and others arent masking? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. The estimated overall AR in this investigation is consistent with the range of ARs observed in other Omicron transmission studies (3), and higher than those associated with some other SARS-CoV-2 variants. These findings underscore the importance of implementation of multicomponent prevention measures for reducing SARS-CoV-2 transmission in household settings, including from the Omicron variant (4). A CDC study showed how a surgical mask could reduce risk of exposure to the wearer by nearly 65% by double-knotting the loops and tucking in the sides of the mask to close gaps. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the subvariant is causing approximately 65% of the countrys COVID-19 cases at the time of publication. Data were collected and managed using REDCap (version 11.1.8; Vanderbilt University) and analyzed using R (version 4.0.3; R Foundation). 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