AN OXFORD firm has warned modern ventilation systems found in most offices could impact the spread of Covid-19 this winter.

Property and construction consultancy Ingleton Wood says office managers should review ventilation set-ups and ‘consider all necessary action’ to ensure staff safety.

The firm says most offices in town centres and business parks built since the 1980s have heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems that recirculate air, to improve energy efficiency, rather than other systems that pipe in fresh air from outside.

See also: Latest results from court

Laura Mansel-Thomas, partner at Ingleton Wood, said: “Winter is coming and windows are closing, putting the lockdown spotlight for the first time on ventilation for office workers, managers and landlords.

“What do we have? Is it fit for purpose in a global health pandemic?

“These are important questions we should all be asking ahead of the mad dash back to the office after six months of remote working and home schooling.

“But the fact of the matter is that most offices in Oxford are not state-of-the-art skyscrapers with natural fresh air being pumped in all year round.

“They are modern office blocks which have embraced energy-efficient cooling systems, usually ceiling-mounted air conditioning units, but it’s a common misconception that they are providing fresh air.

Read more: Oxford house prices dropped more than across the South East in May

“As a result, workers could be potentially subjecting themselves to a build-up of infected droplets caused by poor ventilation, although we know this is a hot topic of scientific debate.”

In July, the World Health Organization said there was evidence that coronavirus can be spread by tiny particles suspended in the air.

Airborne transmission in crowded, closed or poorly ventilated settings could not be ruled out, an official said.

See more: Asylum seekers in Oxford left in limbo with support

Ms Mansel-Thomas added: “Employers are responsible for the safety of their staff and natural ventilation methods seem to have worked well this summer.

“But we have seen very little public health advice for the winter other than keeping windows open.

“That’s why we’re calling for all employers in Oxford to review their ventilation systems.”