Many researchers have claimed COVID-19 or coronavirus, an airborne disease. But that may not be the truth. There are chances of passing respiratory infections via droplets of various sizes. Meanwhile, droplet particles having a size larger than 5-10 μm in diameter are known respiratory droplets. Whereas when the droplet particles are less than 5μm in diameter, they are droplet nuclei. So far, existing evidence reveals that SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, is spread by contact routes and respiratory droplets. The transmission of droplets takes place when a person comes in close contact with a person having respiratory symptoms like sneezing and coughing. Thus it increases the chances of having nose, mouth, or eyes exposed to probably infective respiratory drops.
Apart from this, the transmission also takes place via fomites that are any object infected with or exposed to the virus in the nearby area around the infected person. Thus, the transmission of COVID-19 can take place by direct contact with an infected person. Even more, it can spread by indirect contact with surfaces in the environment. Well, airborne transmission of COVID-19 is possible in particular conditions and settings, including various procedures. Meanwhile, some researchers have revealed that the virus can be found in the air, so people are calling it an airborne transmission.
One research document in the New England Journal of Medicine has estimated the virus tenancy of the COVID-19 virus. During this experimental trial, the researcher has used a three-jet collision nebulizer to create aerosols. After that, they have fed those aerosols in a Goldberg drum, a high-powered machine, under monitored lab conditions. The discovery of coronavirus in aerosol particles for around 90 minutes does not replicate a medical practice in which aerosol-producing procedures are implemented. Notably, it is an experimentally made aerosol-making method.
The researchers have performed the experiment using a machine that was used to build aerosols and set up in a close machine utilized for aerosol survival trials. On the other hand, some researchers claim that the COVID-19 virus has the potential to spread via the air can sustain for hours and remain contagious. Above all, this spreading aspect of the novel strain of coronavirus remains controversial.
Carolyn is a technology graduate and loves to write about anything related to technology as well as writes in others sectors. Carolyn is a professional writer with over 7 years of experience. Initially starting off as a programmer, Carolyn decided to combine her knowledge about technology and writing and that’s how she joined Reporter Expert.