Government comment:

• It is “closely watching the dynamic evolution of the virus situation in India, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) now indicating that the virus may be airborne”.
• Earlier, 239 experts have shown research of corona virus being airborne spread than only being the droplet transmission.

Types of transmission:

Airborne Spread:

• It refers to transmission via aerosols (smaller droplets <5 µm) which can be transmitted to others over distances greater than 1 m.
• Aerosols may get released when infectors breathe heavily or talk, apart from coughing and sneezing.
• Aerosols contain fewer virus particles than larger droplets.

Droplet Transmission:

• Occurs when a person is within 1 metre of the infector, who coughs or sneezes and so is exposing their mouth, nose or eyes to potentially infective respiratory droplets.
• Such droplets are >5-10 µm in diameter.
• Being heavy, the droplets fall to the floor soon.

Reference: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/coronavirus-india-watching-who-alert-on-airborne-spread-of-virus/article32033339.ece

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