Researchers are urging health authorities to immediately recognize the role of airborne transmission of COVID-19 virus droplets from an infected person beyond 5 feet in order to stem the disease’s spread.
In an article in Environment International, published this week, it was encouraged that health care organizations initiate research into the airborne transmission of COVID-19.
“National health bodies responsible for controlling the pandemic are hampered by not acknowledging the research evidence of airborne transmission of viable virus droplets, that was conducted after the SARS 2003 outbreak” stated Professor Morawska.
“Now is the ideal time to conduct research into how viruses can travel on the airflow, because there are many similarities between the coronavirus that caused SARS and the COVID-19 coronavirus. It is highly likely that COVID-19 spreads by air. Analysis of the initial pattern of COVID-19 spread in China reveals multiple cases of non-contact transmission, especially in areas outside Wuhan. On numerous cruise ships where thousands of people onboard were infected, many of the infections occurred after passengers had to isolate in their cabins. Therefore, the ventilation system could have spread the airborne virus between the cabins.”
Professor Morawska said that authorities need to put in place public health precautions to lower airborne transmission by:
- Increased ventilation of indoor spaces
- Use of natural ventilation
- Avoiding air recirculation
- Avoiding staying in another person’s direct air flow
- Minimizing the number of people sharing the same environment
- Providing adequate ventilation in nursing homes, hospitals, shops, offices, schools, restaurants and cruise ships.
Although this guidance is subjective and not validated by the CDC it is an interesting theory and something that maybe we could think about? What precautions are we taking now that aren’t working and why? Interesting indeed! To read the article in its’ entirety please click the link below: