Coronavirus Updates
Coronavirus airborne transmission: The latest update
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By Apollo 24/7, Published on - 07 October 2020, Updated on - 18 October 2022
What does airborne transmission mean?What are the other types of transmission?So, is the Coronavirus transmission airborne?How to prevent airborne transmission of COVID-19?Conclusion
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The evidence gathered so far has maintained that the SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for causing COVID-19, is spread primarily through the respiratory droplets of an infected person. However, in the latest scientific brief released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US (CDC) the airborne transmission of the Coronavirus has been elaborated further.
In summary, the CDC has said that the Coronavirus can spread through airborne particles that can linger in the air for several minutes or even hours. The virus can infect people who are further than six feet away from the infected person or after that person has left the space.
What does airborne transmission mean?
When an infection spreads through respiratory droplets composed of tiny particles which can remain suspended in the air for a longer time and distance (usually more than 6 feet), it is known as airborne transmission. These tiny particles can travel far from their source (exhaled respiratory droplets) on air currents thereby remaining suspended in the air for longer times (typically hours) and over longer distances. Larger respiratory droplets tend to fall out from the air within seconds after they are exhaled.
What are the other types of transmission?
Besides airborne transmission, two other types of spread can occur with respiratory viruses like the Coronavirus.
- Contact transmission – When an infection is transmitted through direct contact (usually touch) with an infected person or with a virus-contaminated surface, it is known as contact transmission. The contact with virus-laden surfaces is more often called ‘fomite transmission.
- Droplet transmission – This occurs when the respiratory droplets of an infected person reach the nose, mouth, or eyes of a vulnerable person when they are in close contact, usually within 1 metre. The respiratory droplets may be exhaled when the infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.
So, is the Coronavirus transmission airborne?
The CDC in its recent brief has stated that airborne transmission of the Coronavirus can take place, but only under certain circumstances like the below:
- Exposure to the virus-containing respiratory particles for longer times: A healthy person can get infected when they are around a COVID-19 infected person generating respiratory droplets for over 30 minutes in a confined place. These droplets may have been produced by expiratory exertion when carrying out activities like shouting, exercising, running, etc.
- Enclosed spaces – Infections can occur in enclosed spaces where a vulnerable person and an infected person were present at the same time. Even when the COVID-19 person leaves the enclosed space, vulnerable people are likely to get infected if they visit the place right after.
- Places with limited ventilation – Airborne transmission of COVID-19 can occur in places with poor ventilation as such places allow the suspended respiratory droplets to build up in the air.
Despite the likelihood of the above transmission events, the CDC continues to endorse that most COVID-19 infections are transmitted through contact (direct or indirect) with the respiratory droplets of a COVID-19 infected person. This means that airborne transmission of COVID-19 is possible but is uncommon and only under special circumstances mentioned above.
How to prevent airborne transmission of COVID-19?
As seen above, there is a chance, albeit small, of the airborne transmission of the Coronavirus. Hence, taking precautions to prevent it would be a prudent decision. Here’s how you can prevent the airborne transmission of COVID-19:
- Avoid crowded indoor spaces as these spaces can raise the concentration of virus-laden respiratory particles and droplets suspended in the air.
- Always wear masks when stepping out or when you are in a public setting where maintaining physical distance is difficult.
- Practice social distancing by keeping a physical distance of at least 6 feet from other people.
- Follow hand washing etiquettes such as washing your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Alternatively, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to clean your hands.
- Ensure cleaning and disinfection of surfaces, especially the frequently-touched ones.
Conclusion
Although it is nearly a year since the onset of COVID-19, there is a lot more to be learnt about it, including more evidence to conclude its airborne transmission nature. While the growing number of Coronavirus cases is disheartening, the new findings coming to light are helping mitigate potential risks to human life. The more we learn about the virus, the more effective strategies we can adopt to tackle the pandemic, be it in the form of a treatment or a vaccine. And while we are at it, we should embrace mitigation strategies like maintaining physical distancing and hand hygiene.
In particular, wearing masks in public spaces will continue to be the most important tool to curb the spread of the Coronavirus.
For any questions relating to Coronavirus, do an online doctor consultation with our team of experts.
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