CDC recognizes another way coronavirus spreads

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revised their COVID-19 guidelines to include data that the coronavirus can be spread by airborne droplets. Virus particles "can stay in the air for minutes to hours" and travel more than six feet (1,8 m). Writes about it CNBC.

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Until now, it was believed that the coronavirus spreads through respiratory droplets formed when an infected person coughs, sneezes, sings and talks, and experts still believe that this is the main route of its spread. But experts now also agree that airborne transmission is a key piece in the COVID-19 spread puzzle.

“I am confident that there is airborne transmission,” said National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci.

How coronavirus is transmitted by air

So what is the peculiarity of a virus that spreads by airborne droplets (aerosol particles)? It all comes down to the size of the droplets and their movement.

Respiratory droplets are larger than aerosols, which are microscopic droplets or particles. Due to their size and weight, the larger respiratory droplets “spray like tiny cannonballs onto nearby people,” according to an article in Science, and typically fall to the ground in seconds within six feet (1,8 meters) of source.

But aerosol particles are smaller and don't just fall—they stay in the air for minutes or hours and can be inhaled.

“A simple way to visualize how these airborne particles work is to think about how cigarette smoke lingers and can be inhaled,” said Lynsey Marr, co-author of the paper and an engineering professor at Virginia Tech. “Like smoke, aerosols can accumulate in confined spaces, such as poorly ventilated rooms.”

On the subject: WHO: there may be 20 times more people infected with coronavirus than officially recognized

Although aerosol particles are much smaller than droplets, they can be concentrated enough to spread COVID-19 to other people, according to the CDC.

Preventive measures for the transmission of COVID-19 by airborne droplets

The best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to continue to wear a mask, practice social distancing, and avoid large crowds indoors. Remember: the virus mainly spreads through respiratory droplets when people are in close contact with each other.

Wearing a standard 95-layer sheet face mask can add an extra layer of protection as it prevents your respiratory droplets from spreading. But they do not provide sufficient protection to filter out airborne aerosol particles, only an N95 respirator can. But the CDC says NXNUMX respirators should be retained for healthcare professionals and other medical first aid providers.

Because airborne transmission is possible, keep in mind that indoor gatherings (especially in areas with poor ventilation) with people outside your household increase the risk of infection. Returning to the smoking analogy, imagine a person smoking a cigarette in the room with you. “What if all the people in this situation smoke? You will inhale a lot of cigarette smoke,” Marr said.

In addition to wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing, using portable air purifiers is another way to reduce the amount of airborne particles. And simply opening windows to bring clean air into your space is a way to increase ventilation.

In September, the CDC already published revised guidelines that included information on airborne dropletsand then removed the update. The agency said it was still updating its recommendations and they were posted by mistake.

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