Thread by @weatherindia

As of April 2, the novel #coronavirus pandemic has spread across 203 countries and territories around the world, killing more than 47,200 individuals and infecting more than 9.4 lakh people.

Most, if not all transmission of the virus thus far, has been observed to have taken place when an individual has come into contact with respiratory droplets and droplet nuclei emitted by infected persons through coughing, sneezing, talking, and direct/indirect touching.
#covid19

Meanwhile, several other modes of transmission have also been discussed and studied since the outbreak of #COVID19.

A new study has found evidence that hints at the possibility of airborne transmission of #covid19, reports the South China Morning Post. In spite of its findings, however, the researchers have insisted that this “does not confirm the airborne spread” of the deadly virus just yet.

Airborne transmission of a virus occurs through tiny aerosol droplets which are smaller than 5 micrometers in diametre. These droplets can linger in the air for hours, and anyone inhaling them can effectively get infected with the said virus.

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In the case of the novel coronavirus, such transmission could also cause more damage, as the virus gets inhaled deep into the lungs.

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To examine likelihood of airborne transmission in #coronavirus, researchers from University of Nebraska Medical Centre, National Strategic Research Institute at the University of Nebraska collected air samples from 11 rooms where 13 confirmed cases of #COVID19 were being treated.

After studying the samples, genetic material from the coronavirus—which was emitted by the patients—was naturally found in obvious places such as lavatories and daily-use items.

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#covid19 | But more importantly, 63.2% of the air samples collected from the inside of the rooms, and 66.7% of those taken from outside those rooms, also showed traces of the virus. The in-room samples had higher traces of the virus than those taken from the corridors.

The highest concentration of the virus’ genome, however, was found 2 metres away from a patient who was receiving oxygen through a nasal tube. Such circumstances particularly increase the possibility of airborne transmission of COVID-19, says the @WHO.

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In its brief, the WHO highlighted one such experimental study that was recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine, which concluded that “people may acquire the virus through the air and after touching contaminated objects”.

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However, not only was the experimental laboratory setting used in this study far different from a clinical setting, but the machines used to generate aerosols were too high-powered to accurately reflect normal human cough conditions.

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Therefore, more research on this subject, particularly one that can be seamlessly applied to the real world, is an absolute must before airborne transmission of COVID-19 can be declared as a genuine possibility.

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