15 minutes of contact and exposure is enough time for Covid-19 infection?

F. Conforto

Critical Care Physician

Anesthesiologist

The magic number of 15 seems to be sufficient to catch the coronavirus at the distance of 6 feet or less. CDC Atlanta ( Center for Disease Control and Prevention) updated the close contact definition : three 5-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes over a 24 - hour period.

Practically if an individual has been exposed to someone infected for at least 15 cumulative minutes, in a room or environment not well

ventilated-overloaded of virus, the risk is very high.