Two new studies suggests that wearing masks and taking other safety precautions are vital to stopping Covid-19 from spreading while engaged in indoor group exercise published by the CDC.
These two recent studies linked outbreaks of Covid-19 from this summer to indoor group exercise facilities in Honolulu and Chicago. In the study from Chicago an staggering 60% of patrons who attended fitness classes at certain facility from August 24-September 1tested positive for Covid-19. Another 7% of patrons reported Covid related symptoms during this time period.
Some precautions were in place at this facility, like temperature checks and symptom screen on entry. However, removal of masks was allowed during exercise according to the CDC report.
In the Honolulu incident 21 cases of Covid-19 were linked to a fitness instructor who tested positive for Covid-19 on July 1. Approximately two days before feeling related symptoms the fitness instructor held a yoga class for 27 people while wearing a mask. No cases were reported among these participants.
However, a few hours before the instructor felt the onset of symptoms, they led a stationary cycling class with 10 students. None of them wore masks. All of these participants later tested positive. This group included another instructor who was linked to additional cases.
The first report suggested that increased breathing during exercise in an enclosed space increases virus transmission. The CDC suggested gyms need to decrease class sizes and require physical distancing. However, the CDC still recommends mask wearing even with physical distancing to reduce virus transmission.