Research at a United Kingdom hospital filled with COVID-19 patients suggests portable HEPA filters effectively remove coronavirus particles from the air, a recent study showed.
According to the study, which was conducted in early 2021 before the spread of the Delta variant, the use of air filters lessened the risk of hospital staff and patients from catching COVID-19.
The study has not yet been peer-reviewed.
Researchers installed two portable HEPA filters in two different fully occupied COVID-19 wards in the hospital. One was placed in the intensive care unit (ICU) and the other in a general ward.
The researchers collected samples from each of the filters for three weeks: One week when the filters were on, and two weeks when the filters were off.
In the general ward, the study team found COVID-19 particles in the air when the filter was off but not when it was on, according to the study.
But in the ICU ward, the study team did not find many COVID-causing particles in the air — even when the filter was turned off.
The study also found the filters collected particles from other detectable pathogens in hospitals that could cause infection.