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Although the travelers were neatly separated from each other in a quarantine hotel, infections occurred. Even in a specially equipped building, open doors were enough to spread the virus within a very short time.
Because the doors to different rooms were open at the same time, the virus could spill over from one infected person to another. (Symbol image)
Phanie via AFP
The episode took place near Auckland Airport in the summer. Scientists have now investigated the case.
imago images / David Wall / Danita
The examinations of a corona infection in a quarantine hotel in New Zealand in the summer show how quickly the virus can spread.
Despite various security measures, one man infected four other people.
Obviously, doors open for seconds were sufficient for this.
In a quarantine hotel in New Zealand, a single infected person infected several other people who were in a separate room along the corridor in the summer of 2021, despite strict security measures. Scientists have now investigated the case from the summer and have come to the conclusion that a few doors open for seconds were sufficient, as reported by CNN. Authorities believe that virus particles spilled into the other rooms when the doors to both rooms were opened at the same time.
Doors were opened a total of four times
The infected passenger landed in New Zealand from the Philippines in mid-July and was taken to a hotel room for isolation after testing positive for the corona virus. A second group arrived from the United Arab Emirates. One of the five travelers was infected, which is why they all had to be quarantined. They were billeted across the hall from the infected man from the Philippines. Strict precautionary measures were in place in the hotel. The “guests” were not allowed to leave their rooms, the food was delivered to them. Experts regularly checked the health of the isolated people.
The premises had been set up for the requirements of the quarantine. Among other things, the authorities ensured that the ventilation shafts were not connected to one another. The people in quarantine were asked to ventilate themselves. In addition, those responsible meticulously made sure that none of the doors to the hotel corridor were opened at the same time. It happened anyway. It happened exactly four times, each only lasting a few seconds. This is shown by video recordings.
The brief events were apparently sufficient to allow virus particles from the infected person to get into the other room. Scientists were able to determine that the guests from the Emirates were infected not only by their infected travel companion, but by the guest from the Philippines. The person only left the room after the tourists in the other room had already become infected. The episode also shows how much vaccination can help. One of the five people affected was vaccinated – she is the only one who did not become infected. The case is reminiscent of a Hong Kong case in late November. However, this was already the new, more contagious Omicron variant, while Delta was still circulating in New Zealand in July.
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