UPSC Articles
Airborne Transmission of SARS-COV-2 Virus
Part of: GS Prelims and GS – II – Health In news
- In a new advisory, the government has warned that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can be transported through air as well in the form of aerosols, and infect people up to 10 metres away.
- The general advisory on Covid-19 was issued by the office of the Principal Scientific Advisor.
Key takeaways
- The warning is in line with the latest evidence that suggests that airborne transmission of the virus, especially in enclosed spaces, cannot be ruled out.
- It was initially suggested that the virus spreads predominantly through large droplets that come out when a person is talking, sneezing or coughing.
- These droplets, because of their large size, were supposed to travel only short distances before falling on the ground.
- A person 6 feet (2 metres) away was considered safe from infection.
- However, over the months, scientists have been finding increasing evidence of the virus travelling through aerosols as well.
Do you know?
- Aerosols are small solid particles suspended in the air.
- Relatively light, aerosols can carry the virus to much larger distances.
- Also, they can remain suspended in the air for several minutes, or even hours, thereby greatly increasing the chance of the infecting a nearby person.
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