A new study elaborated by researchers from the University of Wuhan has explored the ability of the coronavirus to remain airborne in environments without ventilation. It is already well-known that the virus can spread easily via respiratory droplets released by coughing or direct human contact.
The manner in which the virus can move around via airborne transmission has remained elusive for researchers despite the efforts made by researchers to understand the viral vectors. According to the team, it appears that the virus can persist in the air for a while.
WHO has recently announced that the risk is limited to a circle of specific factors, but airborne transmission has led to more than 75,000 cases in China.
At the start of the pandemic, scientists took samples from more than 30 sites spread across Wuhan. In most areas, the concentration of coronavirus particles found in the air was quite limited, but there were notable exceptions, including the entrance to department stores.
A new study explores how long can coronavirus persist in the air
In hospitals, the numbers of virus particles tended to be low in isolated wards and higher in areas like the toilets, where ventilation wasn’t available. Within the study, the researchers note that the virus can also spread via urine and feces eliminated by infected people.
It is also worth noting that there are two types of droplets that can be released when people breathe, talk, or cough.
Large droplets tend to land on the surface before they evaporate, increasing the chance of contracting the disease by interacting with contaminated surfaces. On the other hand, small droplets can remain suspended in the air for hours.
The coronavirus can accumulate over time in areas without ventilation, and it is also believed that it can also travel across longer distances due to the lack of air currents. Further research will take place in the future, but for now, the results are harrowing.
