Yongkang driver in public toilets without wearing a mask infected with the new crown? Experts: Both contact infection and aerosol infection are possible

Health Times reporter Qiu Yue

Qian Moumou, a driver diagnosed in Yongkang, Zhejiang Province, on January 5, mentioned to Jimu News on the 8th that Jinhua belonged to a low-risk area at that time and did not wear a mask when entering the toilet.

"After entering the toilet, I didn't have contact with anyone, the toilet doors were closed, and I didn't hear anyone playing videos and other sounds in the toilet." Qian Moumou said, "I later analyzed that the freight couple in Henan may have gone to the toilet a few minutes earlier than me, but I didn't expect to encounter (the virus)." ”

According to the "Jinhua Release" news, Qian Moumou is highly consistent with the genetic sequence of patients with confirmed cases of new crown pneumonia in Henan. The results of the circulation survey show that on January 1, Qian Moumou bought paper in a supermarket near the Sinopec Lingxia gas station in Jindong District, went to the toilet at the gas station, and intersected with the patients with confirmed cases of new crown pneumonia in Henan. From 12:20 to 12:40 on January 1, Henan Freight couple refueled, went to the toilet and rested at the Lingxia Gas Station (next to the Lingxia Hotel) in the Section of Lingxia Zhuyi Village, Lingxia Town, Jindong District, Jinhua City, China Petrochemical City.

File image, from Xinhua News Agency.

In a low-risk area of the gas station toilet, infected with the new crown virus, Qian Moumou also said, never expected. Inside the public restroom is a monitoring blind spot, how many people in this separate space have ever taken off their masks? How much risk of infection is there behind it? How does the infection occur?

Wu Anhua, chief expert of the Infection Control Center of Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, told Health Times that although the new crown virus is mainly transmitted through droplets, contact transmission and aerosol transmission are also possible. If the Yongkang driver is indeed infected in this toilet, contact transmission and aerosol transmission are both possible modes of transmission, he may have been in contact with the henan confirmed patients in the doorknob, faucet and other places, or may have breathed the aerosol suspended in the air and become infected.

"Aerosols float in the air longer than droplets, possibly for half an hour or even longer, and flushing water after going to the toilet, especially toilet flushing, can produce aerosols." Wu Anhua said.

Wu Anhua pointed out that public toilets are relatively confined spaces, when people use public toilets, even if there is no one else, they still have to pay attention to wearing masks, while shortening the use time, after the toilet must wash their hands. On the other hand, staff should pay attention to the ventilation of public health rooms.

Wu Anhua stressed, "Brushing mobile phones in the toilet for a long time may increase the risk of contact infection, in addition, not only in public toilets, in relatively confined spaces such as public transportation, but also pay attention to personal protection, the virus may spread and spread through the air conditioning system." ”