Table 5.
Leading organizations/societies recommendations for HVAC system in the management of COVID-19 patients [updated till 20 March 2020]
| Name of the organization/society (reference) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CDC [47] | WHO [48, 49] | ESICM/SCCM [50] | ECDC [51] | |
| Pressurization | Negative | Negative | Negative | No mention |
| Temperature | No mention | No mention | No mention | No mention |
| Relative humidity | No mention | No mention | No mention | No mention |
| Air change (outside air/total) per hour (ACH) | Minimum of 6, while 12 in new construction or renovation | At least 12 | At least 12 | No mention |
| Filtration | HEPA filtration if re-circulated | No mention | HEPA filtration if re-circulated | No mention |
| Air distribution pattern | Appropriate directionality | Controlled direction of airflow | No mention | No mention |
| Special comments | – | – | – | Increase frequency of cleaning and maintenance of HVAC systems should be considered |
WHO World Health Organization, CDC Center for Disease Control and Prevention, ESICM European Society of Intensive Care Medicine, SCCM Society of Critical Care Medicine, ECDC European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, HEPA high-efficiency particulate air filter, COVID-19 coronavirus disease 2019