The potential for Covid-19 to spread through airborne transmission by lingering in the air is being underplayed by the World Health Organization, a group of scientists have said.
theguardian.com/world/2020/jul…
theguardian.com/world/2020/jul…
In an open letter due to be published this week, 239 scientists from 32 countries call for greater acknowledgement of the role of airborne spread of Covid-19 and the need for governments to implement control measures.
WHO states that the virus is transmitted primarily between people through respiratory droplets & contact.
Aerosol transmission involves much smaller particles that can remain in the air for long periods of time and can be transmitted to others over distances greater than 1 m.
Aerosol transmission involves much smaller particles that can remain in the air for long periods of time and can be transmitted to others over distances greater than 1 m.
The scientists say the emerging evidence, including from settings such as meat processing plants where there have been outbreaks, suggests that airborne transmission could be more important than the WHO has acknowledged.
Linsey Marr, an expert in airborne transmission of viruses at Virginia Tech said that the WHO had relied on studies from hospitals that suggested low levels of virus in the air. virus to accumulate in the air”.
This underestimated the risk, she said, because in most buildings “the air-exchange rate is usually much lower, allowing virus to accumulate in the air”.
If airborne transmission were shown to be a major factor, some experts have suggested it could be helpful to wear masks indoors, even in settings where social distancing is being enforced.
that tighter regulations may be needed for ventilation and air conditioning to minimise recirculating air; and that it may even be appropriate to install UV lights in some buildings to guard against potentially infectious particles.
