A new study ensures that the Covid is evolving to become airborne

The results of a new study led by the School of Public Health of the University of Maryland, in the United States, show that people infected with the virus caus

A new study ensures that the Covid is evolving to become airborne

The results of a new study led by the School of Public Health of the University of Maryland, in the United States, show that people infected with the virus caused by Covid-19 exhale infectious viruses on their breath, and that infected with the Alpha variant (the dominant strain circulating at the time when this study was carried out) they put between 43 and 100 times more virus in the air than people infected with the original strains of the virus.

The researchers also discovered that the loose fabrics and surgical masks reduced the amount of viruses that entered the air around the people infected in about half, as they published in Clinical Infectious Diseases.

"Our latest study provides more than the importance of air transmission - Dr. Dr. Milton, Environmental Health Professor at the School of Public Health of the University of Maryland (UMD SPH) - we know that the Delta variant circulating is now even more contagious than the alpha variant. Our research indicates that the variants continue to improve on their trip through the air, so we must provide a better ventilation and use adjusted masks, in addition to vaccination, to help Stop the propagation of the virus ".

The amount of virus in the air from the infections of the Alpha variant was much more -18 times more- than it could be explained by the highest amounts of viruses in nasal and saliva swabs.

One of the main authors, the PhD student Jianyu Lai, explains that "it was already known that the virus in saliva and nasal swabs increased in the infections of the alpha variant. The nose virus and mouth could be transmitted by the Spray large drops near an infected person. But our study shows that the virus in exhaled aerosols increases even more, "highlights.

These important increases in the air virus in Alpha infections occurred before the arrival of the Delta variant and indicate that the virus is evolving to travel better by air.

To check if the masks work when preventing the virus from being transmitted between people, this study measured the amount of SARS-COV-2 that is breathed in the air and checked the amount of virus that exhale in the air Sick from Covid-19 after putting on a fabric or surgical mask.

The facial covers significantly reduced the filled virus particles into the air around the person with Covid-19, reducing the amount by approximately 50%, but loose cloth and surgical masks did not prevent the infectious virus from passing.

Dr. Jennifer German, one of the co-authors, points out that "the messages that can be taken home of this work are that the coronavirus can be in your exhaled breath, is improving to be in your breath, and the use of a mask It reduces the possibility that you breathe in others. "

This means that to protect people who work face to the public and in interior spaces, it is essential to adopt a layer approach of the control measures (including a better ventilation, greater filtration, air sanitation with UV and fit masks, In addition to vaccination).

Date Of Update: 21 September 2021, 20:36