ABSTRACT

Objectives: Bney Brak city tops Israel’s COVID-19 infection rate and mortality. Before the Jewish New Year (two-day gathering) SARS-CoV-2 PCR positivity rates were 17.6% and reached 28.1% two weeks later Taffix – an innovative nasal powder creates a protective gel over the nasal mucosa blocking viruses from infecting nasal cells, was tested for efficacy in preventing SARS CoV2 infection.

Methods: In a prospective users survey, 243 members of an ultra-orthodox community that participated in two days prayers were followed for 14 days following this ‘superspread’ event. Eighty-three used Taffix throughout holiday’s prayers and the following two weeks (ITT). Eighty-one used it regularly (PP). Two used it rarely if at all. The remaining 160 did not use Taffix.

Results: After 14 days, 0/81 (0%) of (PP) Tafffix users, 2/83 (2.4%) of (ITT) Taffix users and 16/160 (10%) nonusers were infected. Odds ratio for infection among Taffix users was 0.22, a reduction of 78% (95%CI 1%–95%). No side effects reported.

Conclusion: Taffix could be an additional tool against COVID19 spread, in addition to recommended safety measures. This is the first time that a prevention measure of SARS-CoV-2, beyond the use of masks, has proved effective.

摘要

目标：Bney Brak 市在以色列的 COVID-19 感染率和死亡率中名列前茅。在犹太新年（为期两天的聚会）之前，SARS-CoV-2 PCR 阳性率为 17.6%，两周后达到 28.1% Taffix——一种创新的鼻粉在鼻粘膜上形成保护凝胶，阻止病毒感染鼻细胞，已测试其在预防 SARS CoV2 感染方面的功效。

方法：在一项潜在用户调查中，参与了两天祈祷的 243 名极端正统社区成员在此“超级传播”事件后被跟踪了 14 天。83 人在整个假期的祈祷和接下来的两周 (ITT) 中都使用了 Tafix。81 人经常使用它（PP）。两个人很少使用它，如果有的话。剩下的 160 个没有使用 Tafix。

结果：14 天后，0/81 (0%) 的 (PP) Tafffix 用户、2/83 (2.4%) 的 (ITT) Taffix 用户和 16/160 (10%) 的非用户被感染。Tafix 用户感染的几率为 0.22，降低了 78%（95%CI 1%–95%）。没有报告副作用。

结论：除了推荐的安全措施外，Taffix 还可以成为对抗 COVID19 传播的额外工具。这是除使用口罩之外的 SARS-CoV-2 预防措施首次被证明是有效的。