The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that it is now reviewing evidence of the novel coronavirus's possible airborne transmission. This was after a group of more than 200 scientists called on the agency to consider the proposed method of transmission in an open letter.
In a media briefing on Tuesday, July 7, Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO's head of emerging diseases and zoonosis unit, said that they have been discussing the possibility of airborne transmission, aerosol transmission, and droplet transmission as one of the modes of transmission of COVID-19.
According to Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, the WHO's chief scientist, as the body of evidence continues to grow, they adapt. She adds that they are taking matters very seriously as the agency is focused on public health guidance.
She added that the agency would soon be releasing an outline of their briefing on their discussion on the matter.
A Call For Change: The Coronavirus and its Possible Airborne Transmission
About 240 scientists from more than 30 countries have recently called on the WHO to update its coronavirus guidelines. The experts claim that there is enough evidence from studies supporting the possibility that the virus can be transmitted through the air.
In the letter, the group wrote that there is a significant potential for inhalation exposure to viruses in microscopic respiratory droplets at short to medium distances. Furthermore, they are advocating for the use of preventive measures to diminish this route of airborne transmission.
They added that although they understand that the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is not yet universally accepted, their collective assessment points to supporting evidence that they deem is enough to be considered as a precautionary principle.
To control the pandemic amidst the absence of a plausible vaccine, they say all transmission routes must be considered and broken.
The agency's web page states that the coronavirus is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets and contact routes. Although the organization notes that airborne transmission could be possible, it claims that analysis of more than a review of more than 70,000 COVID-19 patients in China showed no such evidence.
Effective Ventilation to Combat COVID-19
The scientists recommend sufficient and effective ventilation for individuals in establishments like buildings, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and workplaces. In addition, they also advise using high-efficiency air filtration and germicidal ultraviolet lights.
They point out that these methods are necessary to lessen the effects of what they believe is an aerosolized disease. They caution that the risk is now of heightened significance since more countries and states have continued to ease coronavirus restrictions.
Some are pushing to reopen the economy and resume schools and work amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The news comes as states such as Texas, Alabama, Florida, Arizona, and Georgia are seeing high surges of cases. Local leaders have been forced to roll back their reopening attempts and are again declaring states of emergencies.
The sudden rise in cases has also caused state governors like Michigan's Gretchen Whitmer to implement a nationwide "mask up" campaign. Even in the White House, a campaign has called for everyone to wear a face mask and practice proper safety behaviors.
