J Korean Med Sci.  2023 Aug;38(34):e290. 10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e290.

Are We Truly Safe? Unfolding the Final Chapters of COVID-19 Walk-Through Booths

• Han SH
• Jung M
• Jeong HJ
• Hong J

• KMID: 2545548
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e290

Abstract

This research proposes a safety strategy for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) walkthrough booths to optimize pandemic preparedness. These booths, designed for respiratory sample collection during the COVID-19 pandemic, effectively reduce infection risk and personal protective equipment-related fatigue among healthcare workers. However, inadequate disinfection and glove management could escalate infection transmission. Using computational fluid dynamics simulations, we analyzed droplet dispersion on booth surfaces and gloves under various wind conditions. Our findings suggest that when setting up COVID-19 walk-through booths, their location should be strategically chosen to minimize the effects of wind. All surfaces of booth gloves must be thoroughly disinfected with a certified disinfectant after nasopharyngeal swab collection. It is also recommended to wear disposable gloves over booth gloves when changing between patient examinations. In wind-affected areas, individuals nearby should not solely rely on the 2-meter distancing rule due to potential droplet spread from walk-through booths. We strongly recommend consistent and proper mask use for effective droplet blocking. Adherence to these guidelines can significantly enhance the safety and efficiency of walk-through booths, particularly in potential future pandemics.

Keyword

Walk-Through Booth; CFD Simulation; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Pandemic

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Droplet dispersion and deposition on the booth and the gloves after 1 seconds of coughing for different incoming wind directions of (A, B) static air; (C, D) north wind; (E, F) south wind; (G, H) west wind; (I, J) east wind.

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  Fig. 2 Droplet dispersion when the wind blows from the north. (A-C) Depicting the dispersion of droplets at 2.5 seconds, 5 seconds, and 10 seconds after coughing under the influence of a light breeze. (D-F) Illustrating the dispersion of droplets at 2.5 seconds, 5 seconds, and 10 seconds after coughing with a gentle breeze. For visualization purposes, the particle size has been kept constant.

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