Covid-19: bars, trains, metro … the main places of contamination identified by a new study – LCI

Airing and wearing the mask indoors: these barrier gestures are more important than ever at a time when the Covid-19 epidemic is restarting, as shown by a study on the expansion of the Delta variant in France this summer. Unsurprisingly, the most risky places for contamination were poorly ventilated enclosed spaces: evenings to watch Euro football matches (at home or in bars), discos or, to a lesser extent, transport (which was not the case with the previous variants, probably because Delta is more transmissible).

The study covers the period from May 23 to August 13, which corresponds to the gradual reopening of public places after the third confinement and the appearance of the Delta variant in the territory. No excess risk was identified during this period for the restaurants, which reopened on May 19 outdoors and on June 9 indoors. Widely documented in numerous studies, the increased risk in poorly ventilated areas comes from the fact that SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted overwhelmingly via aerosols, those clouds of particles that we emit when we breathe (and even more so when we breathe). let’s talk, shout or sing). Among those under 40, the risk of contamination has doubled and tripled for people who have frequented indoor bars and private parties, respectively.

Among the partitioned places, the means of transport are particularly affected by an aggravated risk. The metro increases the risk of contamination by 20%, against 30% for the train and the shared car, 50% for the taxi and 70% for the plane. On the other hand, there is no increased risk for restaurants, nor for places of worship, cultural places or even shops (except those nearby). Despite this, the importance of aeration (which disperses these clouds, like cigarette smoke) is not always well understood by the general public.

What about places that do not present an additional risk? According to our journalist on the set, it was not observed in shops, in cultural places, in sports activities or in restaurants. Finally, remember that this summer, we dined on the terrace or in very airy places. It is necessary to continue to do it even if it is colder and to wear the mask. Also find information about the new variant in the top topic.