COVID-19 is airborne. Here are the layers of supporting evidence
Resource speaker Prof. Jimenez outlines the scientific data pointing to aerosol transmission of COVID-19 in the #COVIDisAirborne webinar.
We have been dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic for years now. Yet, there is still much debate about a vital issue that would greatly help us combat the virus—its mode of transmission. Leading health bodies such as WHO have said early on that COVID-19 is not airborne. With numerous research suggesting otherwise, WHO finally accepted airborne transmission of COVID-19 in 2021.
In the recently concluded part one of the #COVIDisAirborne webinar, Prof. Jose-Luis Jimenez shared the mounting evidence that supports the airborne transmission of COVID-19.
Surfaces, droplets, aerosols, and infection
Since the start of the pandemic, we have been taking precautions to protect ourselves such as wearing face masks, washing hands, and sanitizing items. But even with our adherence to these practices we still see rising cases. Are we doing things wrong or are they not enough?
According to Prof. Jimenez, these practices are in line with preventing infection from surface and droplet transmission. However, data show that there is little risk of getting infected from touching everyday surfaces. We should be more cautious of the droplets and aerosols in the air around us. Aerosols are small solid or liquid particles that remain suspended in the air for longer periods while droplets are bigger than aerosols and considered to be more than 100 μm in size that do not remain suspended in the air. Hence, droplet transmission can only happen if infected droplets generated through coughing or breathing come in contact with a person in close proximity.
There are many observed cases where infection more likely happens in close proximity despite no physical contact. But Prof. Jimenez warned that this alone is not proof of droplet transmission. This observation may also be interpreted as there is a higher concentration of aerosols in close proximity. Thus, there is a higher probability of getting infected.
Airborne route
More telling evidence pointed out by Prof. Jimenez that supports aerosol transmission is the presence of long-distance transmission often seen in quarantine facilities. He also detailed the superspreading event in a Skagit choir where one COVID-19 index case infected 52 other people despite taking precautions such as sanitizing and physical distancing.
But what do we do with the data supporting the airborne route of transmission of COVID-19? Surely these findings highlight how we can improve our pandemic response and the need for collaboration between clinical and engineering experts.
We must focus more on keeping the air we breathe free from the COVID-19 virus. Prof. Jimenez stressed the importance of ventilation especially indoors. In the Philippines, this translates to the removal of plastic barriers and the use of special air conditioning systems that filter contaminated air.
However, there is still resistance in acknowledging this mode of transmission. Prof. Jimenez shares possible reasons for the resistance such as the oscillating dominant thinking on airborne diseases and the major responsibilities that governments and organizations will have to undertake should COVID-19 be treated as an airborne disease.
What is clear is that COVID-19 is airborne and as Prof. Jimenez said, it is up to us to influence policy such that the right things are done.
