Airborne transmission of coronavirus possible
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COVID-19: Airborne transmission of coronavirus possible – put on masks in enclosed spaces

Amid recent acknowledgment, WHO over emerging evidence of airborne spread of the
novel coronavirus, the head of India’s premier R&D body has stated that airborne transmission of COVID-19 is indeed a “distinct possibility” and suggested wearing masks even in “enclosed” areas.

Shekhar C Mande, chief CSIR sought to bring clarity on the concern in his blog post describing the findings of different research studies and stated, all these emerging evidence, as well as arguments, suggest that undoubtedly air-borne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is a distinct opportunity.

The solutions are intuitively very uncomplicated – avoid crowded events, maintain confined areas like workplaces well ventilated, and most significantly, continue wearing masks even in enclosed areas, said Mande while specifying on how one can keep oneself safe in such a situation.

The indication from the WHO had come after 239 scientists from 32 countries urged the global health body and other scientific organization

s to look at the issue via an open letter early this month.

Mande added, wearing masks seems the most efficient method, and potentially necessary for all to follow to avoid exposure to COVID-19.

Even while the dispute on whether the infected surface is a source of infection surges on, the key route of infection can be understood to be through respiration, said Mande, while responding to the discussion of whether the transmission is airborne or not.

Mande stated that it is well known that droplets are released in the air when an individual sneeze or cough. Smaller sized droplets or the droplet nuclei remain suspended in the environment for a longer period, whereas the larger droplets readily settle on surfaces. The larger droplets formed by an infected person while talking, sneezing, coughing, or singing, therefore, do not travel far and settle down immediately. But on the other hand, the smaller droplets can remain suspended in the air for a substantial period.

Previous social distancing measures and other safety measures recommended by WHO and others are based on the understanding that the larger droplets were the route of coronavirus transmission.

In their open letter, appealing to the medical community to recognize the possibility of airborne spread of COVID-19, the scientists wrote that there is substantial potential for inhalation exposure to viruses in microscopic respiratory droplets at short to medium distances, as well as to minimize this airborne transmission route we are promoting the use of preventive measures.

Source

Author: Sruthi S