Airborne transmission of COVID-19 and the role of face mask to prevent it: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a member of the Coronaviridae family, and its RNA genome size is 29,891 nucleotides and encoding 9860 amino acids [1]. SARS-CoV-2 is agent of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and spreads primarily with contact routes and respiratory droplets. COVID-19 emerged in Wuhan, Hubei province of China, in early December 2019 and is now considered a pandemic [2]. More than 37.1 million infected cases are confirmed in more than 180 countries, including 1.07 million deaths (as of October 11, 2020).

Respiratory droplets are referred to droplet particles > 5–10 μm in diameter [3]. As mentioned above, COVID-19 spreads primarily with respiratory droplets and there is controversy about airborne transmission (droplet particles < 5 μm in diameter or droplet nuclei) (Fig. 1).

Aerosols are liquid particles dispersed in the air and contains particles, like microorganism or industrial particles. It is hypothesizing that when an infected person with SARS-CoV-2 breathes heavily, sneezes, or coughs, the SARS-CoV-2 will be excreted and made bio-aerosols. As mentioned above, bio-aerosols < 5 μm in diameter causes airborne transmission; however, larger ones put down on surfaces.

Droplet transmission caused when a person’s saliva discharged by coughing or sneezing and occurs in a space of 1 m (close contact). In this situation, there is risk of having conjunctival or mucosal infection by infective droplets. Furthermore, droplet transmission occurs through contact routes in the close environment of the infected person [4]. In contrast, in airborne transmission, microorganism in droplet nuclei, that is, < 5 μm in diameter, is dispersed hundreds of meters in the air and can remain for a long time.

For reduction in infection among the persons who are in contact with infected people, there is advice about physical distancing. Face masks is a debating option in media and public health advisors especially for general population [5]. Face masks were used for decades for prevention of viral infections especially for health cares, but lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care providers makes it difficult for general recommendation [6].

Previous studies have shown that face mask use could be effective for reducing community spread of the 2003 SARS infection [7, 8]. Rengasamy et al. have shown that cloth masks (70% cotton and 30% polyester) and 100% cotton masks can filtrate 40–60% of NaCl aerosols with 75 nm count median diameter at 5.5 cm/s face velocity [9]. Furthermore, Kin-Fai Ho et al. have shown that cotton masks and medical masks have no significant difference in cough counts when they are used in the car or room [10]. Meta-analysis has shown that medical masks have protective effects against respiratory infection [11]; however, there are controversial results in clinical trials [12‐14]. Recommendation for using face masks or physical distancing needs to be based on clinical evidence. But there is little evidence about the COVID-19 and previous meta-analysis mostly did not consider face masks for SARS-CoV-2 infection and evaluate its effect on prevention from other viral infections, like MERS and SARS. Also, there is controversy about airborne transmission of COVID-19 and close contact, and respiratory droplets do not explain all infections. Therefore, this study aimed to meta-analyze by combining related studies and analyze the pooled RR of face mask use and COVID-19 in asymptomatic individuals without COVID-19 infection and confirmed COVID-19 patients. Also, evaluate airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

This meta-analysis followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) Guidelines for evaluation of the role of face mask in prevention of COVID-19 [15].

Meta-analysis of studies has suggested that the use of the face mask was associated with a decrease risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection (P < 0.001). Our findings are consistent with the previous evidence from population researches that have shown association between face mask use and decrease risk of viral infection [6]. Researchers have found that severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have airborne transmission [22, 23].

In a recent paper in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), the authors have evaluated the aerosol stability of SARS-CoV-2 as compared with SARS-CoV [24]. They have generated aerosols with using a three-jet Collison nebulizer and fed into a Goldberg drum [24]. The authors have shown that SARS-CoV-2 remain viable for at least 3 h (duration of their experiment). Interestingly, the reduction in infectious titer of SARS-CoV-2 was similar to SARS-CoV. Since, this study have shown that SARS-CoV-2 is viable in aerosols for hours; airborne transmission of COVID-19 is probable. Also, in the 6th Guideline for COVID-19 that has been published by the NHC on February 19, 2020, SARS-CoV-2 can disperse in the air in an unventilated environment [25].

In another recent study, Po Ying Chia and his colleagues have shown that air samples of two COVID-19 patients were PCR positive for SARS-CoV-2 and the respiratory particles detected at sizes 1–4 and > 4 μm in diameter [26]. Both COVID-19 patients were in day 5 of symptoms.

Furthermore, a study that has been done in Singapore has shown positive air samples in isolation COVID-19 rooms. The samples size ranges from the 1–4 and > 4 µm with a viral load of 1.8–3.4 RNA in 1 L of air which suggested airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (RNA viral load have been assessed by clinical cycle threshold (Ct) value) [26]. In another study in distances more than 1.8 m, there was a viral load of 2.5 RNA in 1 L of air [27]. Also, Liu et al. have evaluated the air samples in Wuhan hospitals. Many of these samples were < 2.5 µm and could be considered as aerosols. In this study, they have reported that in 2 and 3 m of COVID-19 patients every hour there was 31 and113 RNA /m2 [28]. Zhen-Dong Guo, et al. have evaluated samples from potentially contaminated objects to assess the surface transmission [29]. The surface of the objects that were frequently touched by patients in the ICU and GW was highly positive for SARS-CoV-2. The highest rates were for computer mice, doorknobs, and trash cans. These findings along airborne transmission can explain familial cluster infections.

Face masks are a debating option in media and public health advisors especially for general population [5]. Using face masks is feasible. Based on this review and meta-analysis, public health policy makers should consider this and the likelihood of airborne transmission of COVID-19. It is rational to recommend using face masks as an acceptable advice for general population, especially for health care workers and people caring for COVID-19 patients.

This study has some strengths: First, it is the meta-analysis that evaluates the association of the face mask use with COVID-19. Previous meta-analysis mostly did not consider face masks for SARS-CoV-2 infection and evaluate its effect on prevention other viral infections, like MERS and SARS. Second, this meta-analysis included 7688 participants that increased statistical power and make the results more reliable. Third, this study has shown that the use of the face mask was associated significantly with a decrease risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the decision can be considered for the prevention of COVID-19 as a public health concern. The non-randomized design of the included studies in this meta-analysis is the most important limitation of this study. Geographical segmentation will increase particular confounding in demographics, and it can impact COVID-19 outcome and bias in the studies geographical distribution must be considered [30]. Also, there might be some recall bias in the included studies. Furthermore, we must consider the lack of enough data for COVID-19 pandemic. Globally well-designed studies, like randomized control trials, for evaluating best protective options against SARS-CoV-2 are necessary.

In conclusion, this meta-analysis suggests that there is association between face mask use and reduction of COVID-19. Based on the recent publications, we must consider the likelihood of airborne transmission of COVID-19. It is rational to recommend using face masks as an acceptable advice for general population. Of course, it needs more experiments to confirm SARS-CoV-2 airborne transmission.