Abstract
In 2019, a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is transmitted via the airborne route, caused a new pandemic namely, “coronavirus disease 2019” (COVID-19). Although the effectiveness of face masks to prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is debated, no study has evaluated the virus-blocking efficacy of masks used by patients. We aimed to evaluate this efficacy of masks used by SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals. Data, masks used, and nasopharyngeal swab samples were obtained from these patients. Forty-five paired samples of nasopharyngeal swabs and masks were obtained and processed; the majority of masks were woven. Viral RNAs were amplified using quantitative reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction and detected only on the inner parts of masks. Median viral load (VL) values of swabs and masks were 1.954x106 and 2,51x103, respectively. Statistically, there was a difference of approximately 1000 RNA copies/mL between swabs and masks and no significant difference in VL values among different types of masks. There were statistically significant differences in VL values between men and women and between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Our findings suggest the blocking of virus transmission by different types of masks and reinforce the use of masks by both infected and non-infected individuals.
Highlights
The results presented here suggest that the use of masks helps to block viral trans-mission by SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals and reinforce the importance of using masks as a preventive measure against the viral transmission
SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in all swab samples and 24/45 (53,3%) inner part of the masks (CTs
One/24 mask with cycle threshold (Ct) > 38 (Ct 38.02) was considered positive after having the qPCR repeated for confirmation, having a detectable viral load of 2.39x103 copies/mL
Summary
In 2019, a new respiratory coronavirus named, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is transmitted via the airborne route, primarily through respiratory. Face masks in blocking the SARS-CoV-2 transmission https://portal.fiocruz.br/inova And funded by the Brazilian national funding agency “Coordenacão de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nıvel Superior do Brasil – CAPES”, under finance code 001. (VMM and AAPV) https://www.gov.br/capes/pt-br The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results Face masks in blocking the SARS-CoV-2 transmission https://portal.fiocruz.br/inova And funded by the Brazilian national funding agency “Coordenacão de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nıvel Superior do Brasil – CAPES”, under finance code 001. (VMM and AAPV) https://www.gov.br/capes/pt-br The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
