StopCOVID @UMD
A research study examining the potential role of airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2, masks as source control, breakthrough infections, and whether breath measurements can be used to improve early diagnosis of infection. (2020-2023)
Public Health Aerobiology Lab at the University of Maryland School of Public Health
Principal Investigator: Dr. Donald K. Milton, MD, DrPH
Publications
Infectious Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Exhaled Aerosols and Efficacy of Masks During Early Mild Infection, published in Clinical Infectious Diseases (2021). Link to this manuscript: https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciab797
Cases exhale infectious viral aerosols.
SARS-CoV-2 is evolving toward more efficient airborne transmission.
Loose-fitting masks significantly but moderately reduce viral RNA aerosol.
Tight-fitting masks or respirators and ventilation/air cleaning are essential for worker protection in public-facing or crowded indoor workplaces.
Please also check out the article at Science News that talks about our results: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/covid-coronavirus-aerosol-droplets-airborne-evolution
Comparison of Saliva and Midturbinate Swabs for Detection of SARS-CoV-2, published in Microbiology Spectrum (2022). Link to this manuscript: https://doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.00128-22
We compared detection of SARS-CoV-2 in saliva samples to nasal swab (mid-turbinate) samples.
We found that saliva-based PCR is more sensitive than nasal swab-based PCR in detecting SARS-CoV-2 during the presymptomatic period.
Since saliva samples cost less, are more acceptable to the general public, and are less of a risk to health care workers, our findings support the use of saliva over naval swabs, in identifying presymptomatic infection by SARS-CoV-2.
Exhaled Breath Aerosol Shedding of Highly Transmissible Versus Prior Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Variants, published in Clinical Infectious Diseases (2022). Link to this manuscript: https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciac846
We measured the infectivity and rate of SARS-CoV-2 shedding into exhaled breath aerosols by individuals during the Delta and Omicron waves, and compared those rates with those of prior SARS-CoV-2 variants from our previously published work.
We found that Alpha, Delta, and Omicron cases shed significantly more viral RNA in exhaled breath, compared to the earlier SARS-CoV-2 strains.
Alpha, Delta, and Omicron independently evolved high viral aerosol shedding phenotypes, demonstrating convergent evolution. Vaccinated and boosted cases can shed infectious SARS-CoV-2 via exhaled breath. These findings support a dominant role of infectious aerosols in transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
Thanks to everyone who took part in this part of the study!!!
In an April 2022 New York Times op-ed, Dr. Donald K. Milton, along with Dr. Edward A. Nardell and Dr. David Michaels, discusses the potential of germicidal ultraviolet light for making indoor environments safer by disinfecting indoor air.
University of Maryland-CERSI/FDA Lecture:
Presented by Donald Milton, MD, DrPH
June 14, 2022
Click HERE to Watch the Recorded Lecture
In a May 2022 CBS interview, Dr. Donald Milton discusses the future of implementing Far UV-C technology as an effective tool to mitigate the spread of air-borne infectious diseases such as COVID-19. This discussion comes at a time when we are still seeing individuals become infected with COVID-19 following the attendance of superspreader events, despite strict testing and vaccination requirements.
For more information about the safety and efficacy of Far-UVC technology, click Here.
Maryland Institute of Environmental Health 688 Seminar:
Results of the UMD StopCOVID Study
and
High Efficiency Air Sanitation with Germicidal UV Light for Schools and Conference Rooms
presented by Jianyu Lai, MPH and Don Milton, MD, DrPH
Results of the UMD StopCOVID Study
and
High Efficiency Air Sanitation with Germicidal UV Light for Schools and Conference Rooms
presented by Jianyu Lai, MPH and Don Milton, MD, DrPH
Date: Sep 7, 2021
To watch the recording: click HERE
Passcode: !+h8%j?Q
Corsi-Rosenthal Box Builds at the University of Maryland, College Park
Using funding and resources from his recent MPowering the State award, Dr. Donald Milton bought fans, furnace filters and duct tape in bulk for the production of Corsi-Rosenthal boxes at the University of Maryland, College Park. The devices have been shown to effectively improve indoor air quality and ventilation, and are a cost-effective alternative to traditional air purifiers.
Images: Dr. Milton’s PHABlab set up a booth where students, alumni, and community members built their own Corsi-Rosenthal boxes at UMD’s Maryland Day
Congratulations to the StopCOVID Research Team!
Research and Development Award
2020-2021
The study is not accepting any new participants currently.
Study Purpose
This research was being conducted by Donald K. Milton, MD, DrPH and a team of researchers at the University of Maryland with funding from the University and U.S. government agencies.
The purpose was to find out how people transmit COVID-19 and how to prevent transmission.
How much airborne virus does an infected person exhale?
How much virus is released into the air when an infected person breathes, talks, or sings?
How well do surgical and homemade masks block release of airborne virus?
This work will help us understand whether airborne transmission is important and how to prevent it.
Another goal is to gather samples that can be used to better understand how the body fights the infection. This will help with future research to develop new medications and vaccines.
D.C.-area health officials urge precautions as coronavirus cases rise The Washington Post, July 30, 2022
2 COVID experts say they are wearing masks outside when it's crowded as the highly infectious Omicron BA.5 variant spreads Insider, July 13, 2022
Monkeypox Can Be Airborne, Too The New York Times, June 7, 2022
The Covid Roulette: The Hard Truth About The WHCA Dinner The Pavlovic Today, May 11, 2022
We Have the Technology to Stop Superspreading Without Masks The New York Times, April 21, 2022
Coronavirus FAQ: I'm a one-way masker. With mask mandates going away, is that helpful? NPR. April 19, 2022.
What do we know about “stealth omicron” so far? Associated Press. ABC News. PBS. April 12, 2022.
Saliva Testing for COVID-19 Quicker, Safer Than Nasal Swabs ASM, March 21, 2022
Saliva testing for COVID-19 accurate, provides earlier diagnosis, study finds UPI, March 21, 2022
Is omicron leading us closer to herd immunity against COVID-19? Associated Press, February 23, 2022
Which masks are safest? Schools around the country struggle to answer. The Washington Post. Jan 28, 2022.
Want to keep omicron away? Wear a better mask, like the N95. Tampa Bay Times, January 25, 2022
How do I know if I have a cold, the flu or COVID-19? Associated Press, ABC News, The Seattle Times January 7, 2022
Omicron is spreading at lightning speed. Scientists are trying to figure out why, December 31, 2021
Is the Coronavirus Getting Better at Airborne Transmission? The New York Times, October 1, 2021
New studies hint that the coronavirus may be evolving to become more airborne, ScienceNews, August 17, 2021
The virus is an airborne threat, the C.D.C. acknowledges. New York Times, May 7, 2021.
Ask KHN-PolitiFact: I’ve Recovered From Covid. Why Do I Still Have to Mask Up? Kaiser Health News, April 16, 2021
How one restaurant’s experiment may help diners breathe safely, Washington Post, April 14, 2021
Has the Era of Overzealous Cleaning Finally Come to an End? New York Times, April 8, 2021
As vaccinations increase, you may want to dine indoors again. Here’s what to consider. Washington Post, March 19, 2021
Three Feet or Six? Distancing Guideline for Schools Stirs Debate, New York Times, March 16, 2021
Will schools fully reopen? It may depend on whether students have to sit six feet apart. Washington Post, March 11, 2021
NPR.org: Dr. Milton on All Things Considered: "Pandemic Advances Scientific Understanding Of Viruses' Air Transmission" (Dec 28, 2020)
CNN.com: Here's why mouthwash is not going to save you from coronavirus (November 17, 2020)
A Letter to the Commission on Presidential Debates regarding debate safety (October 6, 2020)
Answering COVID's Big Questions on Campus. Maryland Today, October 6, 2020.
Virtual Press Conference on COVID-19 Science Letter (October 5, 2020)
Dr. Milton's lecture for MIEH 688: Infectious Drops and Aerosols (September 22, 2020)