What are the risks from ’aerosol-generating procedures’ in the treatment of patients with COVID-19?

Do hospitalised COVID-19 patients receiving treatment with CPAP and HFNOT present a significant added risk of viral contamination to the surrounding environment used by healthcare workers? And is there enough evidence to suggest or recommend levels of PPE that should be used for healthcare workers caring for patients on CPAP or HFNOT? Two of the main questions this short podcast addresses. Rachael Moses, Multimedia Editor Thorax BMJ, interviews Dr Chris Green, Consultant in Infectious Diseases & General (Internal) Medicine, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust. Read the two related papers: SARS-CoV-2 environmental contamination from hospitalised patients with COVID-19 receiving aerosol-generating procedures - https://thorax.bmj.com/content/early/2021/11/01/thoraxjnl-2021-218035 Coughs and sneezes spread diseases: but do ‘aerosol generating’ procedures? - https://thorax.bmj.com/content/early/2021/11/10/thoraxjnl-2021-218133