If the reports of the New York Times are to be believed, on Saturday, July 4, 2020, it reported that hundreds of scientists are of the opinion that evidences are there to prove that smaller particles of novel coronavirus in the air can “infect people”. As a result, they are urging the World Health Organisation, in short WHO, to update and revise their recommendation on the same.
According to WHO’s guidelines, the disease caused by coronavirus primarily transmits through people’s contact for example through “small droplets from the nose or mouth” while someone infected with COVID-19 “coughs, sneezes or speaks”.
However, two hundred thirty nine scientists from thirty two different countries signed in an open letter addressing the WHO which “outlined the evidence” that “smaller particles” in the air can also cause infection. The plan is to publish the same open letter in “a scientific journal” in the coming week. WHO wasn’t available for immediate response.
However, the scientists claimed that the coronavirus not only spreads through “large droplets” released after sneezing that “zoom through the air” but also through “much smaller” droplets which are usually exhaled. These smaller particles can even glide along the “length of a room”, as a result air borne droplets thus inhaled “can infect people”, reported the NYT. Although, WHO had earlier stated that the evidences provided to support the claim of coronavirus spread being airborne “was not convincing”.
The NYT quoted the “technical lead of infection prevention and control” from WHO, Dr. Benedetta Allegranzi saying:
“Especially in the last couple of months, we have been stating several times that we consider airborne transmission as possible but certainly not supported by solid or even clear evidence”.
References:
ndtv.com
According to WHO’s guidelines, the disease caused by coronavirus primarily transmits through people’s contact for example through “small droplets from the nose or mouth” while someone infected with COVID-19 “coughs, sneezes or speaks”.
However, two hundred thirty nine scientists from thirty two different countries signed in an open letter addressing the WHO which “outlined the evidence” that “smaller particles” in the air can also cause infection. The plan is to publish the same open letter in “a scientific journal” in the coming week. WHO wasn’t available for immediate response.
However, the scientists claimed that the coronavirus not only spreads through “large droplets” released after sneezing that “zoom through the air” but also through “much smaller” droplets which are usually exhaled. These smaller particles can even glide along the “length of a room”, as a result air borne droplets thus inhaled “can infect people”, reported the NYT. Although, WHO had earlier stated that the evidences provided to support the claim of coronavirus spread being airborne “was not convincing”.
The NYT quoted the “technical lead of infection prevention and control” from WHO, Dr. Benedetta Allegranzi saying:
“Especially in the last couple of months, we have been stating several times that we consider airborne transmission as possible but certainly not supported by solid or even clear evidence”.
References:
ndtv.com