After Push From Experts, World Health Organization Says It ’s Possible COVID-19 Spreads By Air

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday heeded calls from more than 200 scientists, who urged the global health authority to acknowledge that COVID-19 may spread by air. Previously, the WHO said contact with large respiratory droplets, like those expelled in a sick person’s cough or sneeze, appeared to be the primary way COVID-19 spreads. But in a highly publicized letter published earlier this week, a large group of scientists argued the WHO’s guidance neglected to adequately address another important route of transmission: inhaling tiny respiratory particles generated by a sick person, which can remain suspended in the air indoors for hours. In a scientific brief published Thursday, the WHO allowed that “short-range aerosol transmission, particularly in specific indoor locations, such as crowded and inadequately ventilated spaces over a prolonged period of time with infected persons cannot be ruled out.” Still, it maintained that further studies on airborne transmission are needed, and said the evidence is strongest for respiratory droplet transmission. The WHO hinted at its evolving opinion during a press briefing on Tuesday, when Maria Van Kerkhove, the agency’s technical lead for COVID-19, said its scientists had been “talking about the possibility of airborne transmission and aerosol transmission.” Many of the scientists who signed the letter on airborne transmission celebrated her comments. “Nice work, team Indoo...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized COVID-19 Source Type: news