COVID-19: community CPAP and NIV should be stopped unless medically necessary to support life

Abstract

Dear Editor, Data from the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 1 (SARS-CoV-1) outbreak suggest high viral load at the time of transmission is associated with worse clinical outcomes.1 Non-invasive ventilation (NIV), including CPAP, is currently listed by the WHO as a high-risk aerosol-generating procedure putting healthcare workers at risk and necessitates the use of personal protective equipment.2 3 The current UK guidance does not account for high-dose viral transmission risk to family and carers in patients using community NIV and CPAP for treatment …