Health officials have made it clear: wear a face mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have shared a ton of guidance on when and how to wear a mask. And now, the CDC has released examples of what can happen when that guidance is not followed.
In two reports released on Feb. 24, the CDC announced that a pair of COVID-19 outbreaks can be linked to fitness classes at gyms in Chicago and Honolulu. The common theme in both cases: the masks were not used much.
Between August 24 and September 1, 2020, the Chicago exercise center offered four to eight high-intensity indoor classes per day. Classes were limited to 25% of their capacity, and to enter the class, attendees had to have their temperature controlled, be tested for COVID-19 symptoms, and wear a mask. However, attendees were allowed to remove their masks during class, and that is exactly what most of the people did.
It turns out that 76% of the attendees didn’t regularly wear their masks during these classes. And even though people had to bring their own mats and weights and stay at least six feet apart, 49 of the 81 people who attended the in-person fitness classes contracted COVID-19. Six others had probable cases. Of those with confirmed or probable cases, 78% participated in classes while they were potentially infectious. Rates of COVID-19 was highest among those who did not wear a mask frequently during class.
In Hawaii, 21 COVID-19 cases were traced to an instructor who did not wear a mask during class. In June, just four hours before the instructor’s symptoms began, he had led a one-hour stationary cycling class with 10 participants. The classroom doors and windows were closed and there were three large floor fans pointed at the class to keep participants cool. The instructor was on a pedestal in front of the class, shouting instructions and motivations. Following facility protocol, no one wore a mask while exercising. All 10 attendees contracted COVID-19.
One of those assistants turned out to be a personal trainer at a different facility. Before his symptoms developed, and before his eventual hospitalization in the intensive care unit, he went on to provide personal training and kickboxing classes. The sessions he led at his facility, where he and all but two of the participants were unmasked, were linked to 11 more cases of COVID-19.
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While data on COVID-19 transmission in exercise facilities is limited, the reports, which now include the most recent two, show that increased respiratory effort can facilitate transmission. And so these cases highlight the importance of wearing a mask and following other preventive measures while exercising with other people. “To reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in fitness facilities, staff members and clients must wear a mask, and facilities must enforce correct and consistent use of the mask (including during fitness activities). high intensity) and physical distancing, improve ventilation and remind clients and staff members to stay home when sick, “the CDC wrote in the reports.
Of course, exercising outdoors or virtually could further reduce your risk of spreading or contracting COVID-19, the CDC notes. But if you’re going to hit a gym, fitness center, or studio, the CDC has a list of factors that can lower your risk of spreading COVID-19. These include:
- Choosing to go to a facility that requires all staff and attendees to wear a mask that covers their mouth and nose at all times.
- Limiting high-intensity activities to the outdoors.
- Keeping your workouts as brief as possible to avoid prolonged exposure.
- Going during off-peak times to avoid crowds.
- Choosing to go to a facility that has high ceilings, ventilation practices, and portable air cleaners.”Exercise and physical activity are important for physical and mental health and must be continued for a healthy life, especially during the coronavirus crisis,” according to the CDC. “However, precautions need to be taken to reduce exposure and transmission of COVID-19.”
Information in this story is accurate as of press time. However, as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, some data may have changed since its publication. While Health is trying to keep our stories as up-to-date as possible, we also encourage readers to stay informed on news and recommendations for their own communities by using the CDC, WHO, and your local public health department as resources.
