The jury is out on whether coronavirus is airborne or not

4. The jury is out on whether coronavirus is airborne or not

As COVID-19 has spread across the globe, researchers have been trying to figure out exactly how it is transmitted between people. The World Health Organization says that the virus is transmitted through droplets that are sneezed or coughed out, much in the same way that the common cold is spread, with current public advice reflecting that.

However, some researchers argue that there is preliminary evidence that the virus spreads in particles that are much smaller than droplets known as aerosols, which are less than 5 micrometres in diameter (more than 12 times smaller than the average diameter of a single human hair). They are advising increased ventilation indoors and in confined spaces as a precaution as aerosols can linger in the air for long periods of time and travel further than droplets.

The jury is out on whether COVID-19 is airborne or not, but many researchers agree that gathering conclusive evidence for airborne transmission could take years. In the meantime, increasing ventilation and wearing masks (with priority going to healthcare workers, those with symptoms and vulnerable populations) could be beneficial.

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