SARS-CoV-2 transmission pathways within the indoor environment

The rapid global spread of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has highlighted the value of comprehending the link between the indoor environment and infectious disease transmission. SARS-CoV-2 transmission pathways are still not fully understood. It can be promptly transported from person to person, but to a lesser extent, the virus can also be deposited on surfaces or aerosolized in the air. Indoor environments offer many possibilities for people to come into contact with viruses through the circulation of air and surfaces and through the way buildings enable people to interact with each other. This fact highlights the importance of architectural design, especially with modern buildings designed to promote social mixing. The primary objective of this literature review is to report current knowledge on the viability and transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus within different types of indoor built environments, whether residential or institutional and to highlight the potential contribution of architectural design to virus transmission and containment. Understanding the spread of SARS-CoV-2 through indoor built environment-mediated pathways will aid in the development of effective social distancing measures and in making good decisions about how to avoid the transmission of the virus in built ecosystems.