Can coronavirus be spread through the air? The WHO rectifies its position on the routes of transmission of Covid-19 (and yes, it can)

It was suspected and has already been confirmed: the coronavirus can be transmitted through the air. Little by little we are learning more details about the Covid-19, from all its symptoms (including the newest ones) to the sequels that it is capable of leaving in those who have overcome it. Until now WHO has continued to claim that contagion by coronavirus had only one route (contact with droplets from an infected person) And one way to prevent it: wash your hands often with soap and water, maintain social distance and wear a mask. But the time has come to rectify.

The new WHO position comes after more than 200 experts from 32 different countries submitted preliminary results on the appearance of Covid-19 outbreaks. in places like bars, restaurants, offices and markets. Even in the absence of definitive results, the WHO infection prevention coordinator, Benedetta Allegranzi, warns the population: "We have to be open to these findings and understand their implications on the way of transmission of the virus and the precautions that must be taken drink. The possibility is that there is airborne transmission in public spaces, especially in specific conditions such as crowded, closed and poorly ventilated places"

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Demonstrating airborne transmission of the coronavirus is more difficult than it seems, although it was long suspected in view of some sources of contagion: gym classes, restaurants, choirs … places where many people attended for a long time and they talked, sang or shouted. Until now, the official scientific guide on this disease stated that this respiratory infection could only be transmitted through respiratory droplets.. "According to available data, the COVID-19 virus is primarily transmitted between people through contact and respiratory droplets. In an analysis conducted in China that included 75,465 cases of COVID-19, no airborne transmission was reported "the WHO explained in March.

Now the keyword is aerosols: virus particles that can be suspended in the air and can be breathed. In its new document the WHO recognizes that "a susceptible person could inhale aerosols and could become infected if the aerosols contain the virus in sufficient quantity to cause infection in the recipient. "

As the evidence right now is another we have to take into account the new data to better protect ourselves from this disease which, today, has neither a universal cure nor a vaccine. How? Here the WHO recommendations have not changed: we must avoid crowds in confined spaces where there is a lot of talking or singing (against higher, worse), wash our hands with soap and water often (especially when we return from the street), avoid touching our faces and, above all, wear a mask well especially when we are in a place where we meet more people.