Kathmandu: The World Health Organization has finally admitted that airborne transmission of coronavirus is possible.
In a recent update to guidelines on ‘Modes of transmission’, WHO said that COVID-19 spreading in an indoor or poorly-ventilated setting does exist.
“Current evidence suggests that the virus spreads mainly between people who are in close contact with each other, typically within 1 meter (short-range). A person can be infected when aerosols or droplets containing the virus are inhaled or come directly into contact with the eyes, nose, or mouth,” the WHO said in the updated guideline.
The WHO stated that the virus can also spread in poorly ventilated and/or crowded indoor settings, where people tend to spend longer periods of time.
“People may also become infected by touching surfaces that have been contaminated by the virus when touching their eyes, nose, or mouth without cleaning their hands,” reads the guideline.
The WHO had declared coronavirus as pandemic a year ago.
“WHO, together with the scientific community, has been actively discussing and evaluating whether SARS-CoV-2 may also spread through aerosols in the absence of aerosol-generating procedures, particularly in indoor settings with poor ventilation,” it added.
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