Airborne Transmission of SARS-COV-2 Virus 

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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