The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently confirmed there is emerging evidence of airborne transmission of coronavirus. This is after 239 scientists published a letter urging the organisation to revisit the research and revise its position about the possibility that people can catch the virus from droplets floating in the air.
The WHO has so far said that the virus is transmitted through droplets when people sneeze or cough. However, an open letter from over 200 scientists had accused WHO of underestimating the possibility of airborne transmission.
According to international media, those who signed the letter said “this is definitely not an attack on the WHO. It is a scientific debate, but we felt we needed to go public because they were refusing to hear the evidence after many conversations with them.”
Following the letter, WHO released a new scientific report on how the virus can spread from one person to another. The report stated airborne transmission of the virus can occur during medical procedures that generate aerosols. The report also stated they are discussing and evaluating the possibility of airborne transmission in indoor settings with poor ventilation.
According to international media, the WHO has reported that some outbreak reports related to indoor crowded spaces have suggested the possibility of aerosol transmission combined with droplet transmission.
Meanwhile, nearly 13 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported globally.
