Recommendations for ventilation of remodeled negative-pressure isolation wards for COVID-19 patients: A comparison of international guidelines.

This mini-review provides the practice guideline recommendations for ventilation of remodeled negative-pressure isolation wards for COVID-19 Patients. Remodeled "quasi-negative-pressure" isolation wards had been proved a feasible, inexpensive, safe, and effective measure to contain nosocomial outbreaks. We should first determine the minimum required ventilation volume of an isolation ward based on the severity of COVID-19 patients. Mechanical ventilation remains the mainstay for achieving the requirement, while the assistance of recirculation is also helpful. Beyond adequate ventilation volume, the "clean to less-clean" directional airflow remains the golden rule for the solution of indoor ventilation. The virus-laden exhaust should be treated with HEPA/UV device or be kept away from living organisms, buildings, and air inlets.

Healthcare Workers Threatened by COVID-19: Recognition and Compensation of Occupational Injury and Illness

Since the COVID-19 outbreak in 2019, millions of healthcare workers have been exposed to the risk of infection. Although the pandemic has not reached Taiwan in full, there has also been two episodes of nosocomial infection. This shows that a comprehensive protection for healthcare workers including paid sick leave should be contemplated for those working under high risk. This article first analyzes the different categories of employed doctors according to their employers, labor contracts, and whether they are protected by the labor standards act. Our analysis shows that doctors of different categories will receive different levels of payment if they are infected with COVID-19 at work. Secondly, we compared the regulations and practices of determining occupational infectious disease in Taiwan and different countries. We suggest that Taiwan should stratify healthcare workers according to levels of risk to introduce more specific standards for occupational infectious disease determination. The government should provide adequate legal protection for healthcare workers who are risking their lives battling the pandemic.