Airports and schools are frequently lost! Why was Omicron able to invade Taiwan like a storm? Intensivists point out 3 keys
Another cluster of infections breaks out at the airport! Intensivists point out “three reasons” that make the spread faster
A cluster of infections broke out at Taoyuan Airport in January this year, and it was also reported that the new coronavirus had entered the school. Children of airport trolley workers and housekeeping staff were infected with the disease, leading to the emergency suspension of classes for two elementary schools and two junior high schools in Chungli. This is not the first time that the airport has become a “vulnerable gap” in epidemic prevention. Why does it spread so quickly and often catch relevant units off guard?
Intensivist Huang Xuan posted on social media that because the Omicron variant virus has caused an 80% increase in the epidemic in Europe and a 90% increase in the epidemic in the United States, passengers moving into the airport from abroad may bring the virus into the country; and the airport’s epidemic prevention personnel and staff Public health workers or cleaning staff will bear the brunt of the epidemic and become a high-risk group for the epidemic.
As for why there is a high chance that those infected with the virus at the airport are grassroots staff? Dr. Huang Xuan pointed out based on Colombian research analysis: At Colombia’s El Dorado International Airport (El Dorado International Airport Luis Carlos Galán Sarmiento), the infection rate of permanent staff is 7.92%. Research believes that the new coronavirus spreads rapidly among workers for the following three reasons:
The infected people are mainly “asymptomatic infections” (accounting for about 81.25% of the total infected people). The staff are not aware of the relevant symptoms and continue to work in the airport, which invisibly causes serious virus spread.
The socio-economic status is relatively low, resulting in a lack of awareness and awareness of epidemic prevention; or an incomplete understanding of the characteristics of the virus during education and training. All of the above situations can easily lead to a positive PCR screening test.
Workers with longer commuting times are more likely to be at risk of contracting the epidemic (the risk of contracting the disease increases by 1.02 times). Dr. Huang Xuan believes that if transportation vehicles such as buses and MRT are not equipped with virus filtration systems, use “in-car circulation” air conditioners in cold winters, and there are too many people in the car, the virus will continue to circulate in the car and clusters will occur. The risk of infection will be doubled.
Are “grassroots personnel” more likely to spread the virus? Isn’t it safer to wear “protective clothing”?
Dr. Huang Xuan analyzed that regardless of the cases in Taiwan and abroad, cluster infections at airports often start with grassroots staff, such as cleaning staff, security personnel, airport porters, trolley personnel, etc. Research in Colombia shows that most airport staff only receive about 120 minutes of training in preparing for COVID-19, and then there is no further supervision or drills against the virus. Colombia’s lessons learned are worth Taiwan’s reference.
Therefore, Dr. Huang Xuan reminds travelers who have moved in from abroad that they should not relax when they see staff wearing “protective equipment” when entering the country. If gloves, protective clothing, masks, etc. used by staff are not processed or discarded through standard procedures, the virus may still be present, causing a larger-scale infection. In addition, involuntary touching of facilities, such as escalator handrails and elevator buttons, is also one of the main ways to contract the epidemic.
Since July last year (2021), Taiwan has finally escaped from the haze of the “Level 3 Alert”. Now the Omicron variant virus is raging around the world. It coincides with the Lunar New Year and a large influx of overseas tourists into the country. There will be a new wave. Epidemic prevention challenges.
Dr. Huang Xuan called on the public to strictly adhere to the three major disciplines of epidemic prevention and hygiene at this critical time: “wearing a mask”, “washing hands frequently”, and “maintaining social distance” are still the best answers to prevent community infections.
