Photo by Rodrigo Sarsfield on Unsplash 

A coach in a gym in Virginia exposed 50 gym-goers to COVID-19, but the gym’s redesign in ventilation and strict observance of health protocols seem to have prevented the spread of the virus, according to CNN.

Velvet Minnick, owner of the gym, consulted Linsey Marr to ensure the safety of athletes who frequent her gym. Marr, a professor of civil and environmental engineering is an expert on airborne transmission of viruses, air quality and nanotechnology.

The redesign entailed sectioning athlete stations 10 feet away from each other. Each station has the equipment every athlete needs for working out to restrict movement around the gym and partnering with other people to conduct exercises.

The structure of the facility also provided ventilation to accommodate fresh air. Minnick shared the engineering documents of the building, which allowed Marr to compute the wind speeds per ventilation area. The result showed that the space had enough ventilation which could prevent the transmission of the virus. The gym also invested in a carbon dioxide detector to monitor ventilation standards and observe if viruses could potentially build up in the air.

Because of these protocols and the ventilation redesign, 50 people who went to the gym showed no symptoms of the virus, despite being exposed to the Covid-positive coach.

Gyms are spaces for healthy recreation, as going to the gym reduces heart diseases, develops stronger muscles, and improves the mood and sleep.

Before reopening, establishments should redesign the ventilation of their space to reduce transmission of COVID-19 and ensure a safe space for working out.