Abstract
The Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 causes higher viral loads in infected hosts, increasing the risk of close proximity airborne transmission through breathing, speaking and coughing. We performed a Monte Carlo simulation using a social contact network and exponential dose-response model to quantify the close proximity reproduction number of both wild-type SARS-CoV-2 and the Delta variant. We estimate more than twice as many Delta variant cases will reproduce infection in their close proximity contacts (64%) versus the wild-type SARS-CoV-2 (29%). Occupational health guidelines must consider close proximity airborne transmission and recommend improved personal respiratory protection for high-risk workers.
Keywords: Airborne transmission; Close contact; Overdispersion; SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant.
【저자키워드】 Airborne transmission, overdispersion, SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, close contact, 【초록키워드】 SARS-CoV-2, Infection, risk, Transmission, breathing, delta variant, occupational health, Viral load, Reproduction number, close contact, Contact, wild-type SARS-CoV-2, hosts, social contact, coughing, dose-response model, performed, cause, 【제목키워드】 Transmission, Increased, the SARS-CoV-2,