From the Guidelines
Yes, COVID-19 is considered to be airborne, as it can be transmitted through aerosols that remain suspended in the air for a period of time [ 1 ].
Key Points
- Aerosols can be generated through various means, including coughing, sneezing, speaking, singing, or breathing heavily [ 1 ].
- These aerosols can remain viable and infectious in the air for at least 3 hours, with a reduction in viral load over time [ 1 ].
- The World Health Organization and other health organizations have recognized the potential for airborne transmission of COVID-19, particularly in healthcare settings [ 1 ].
- Certain procedures, such as bronchoscopy, can generate aerosols and increase the risk of transmission to healthcare workers [ 1 ].
- The use of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as N95 respirators, face shields, and gowns, is crucial in preventing the transmission of COVID-19 in healthcare settings [ 1 ].
Transmission Mechanisms
- COVID-19 can be transmitted through:
- Droplets (short-range transmission)
- Aerosols (long-range transmission)
- Contact with contaminated surfaces (fomites)
- Aerosol transmission is thought to occur through the inhalation of small particles that contain the virus, which can remain suspended in the air for a period of time [ 1 ].
From the Research
Airborne Transmission of COVID-19
The question of whether COVID-19 is airborne has been extensively studied in various research papers. The evidence suggests that COVID-19 can be transmitted through the air, with several studies supporting this claim 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Key Findings
- The transmission characteristics of COVID-19 provide evidence that SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted through the air 2.
- Aerosol transmission of COVID-19 is plausible, and there is an urgent need to study the possibility of airborne transmission and its impact on the lung 3.
- The evidence base for current guidelines on respiratory protection for COVID-19 is sparse, and the available data do not support the 1- to 2-meter rule of spatial separation 4.
- SARS-CoV-2 can be detected in the air and remains viable 3 hours after aerosolization, supporting airborne precautions for health workers treating patients with COVID-19 4.
- The evidence is overwhelming that SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted primarily through small respiratory droplets and aerosols emitted by infected individuals 5.
- Airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is the dominant route of transmission, with droplets and aerosols playing a significant role in the spread of the virus 6.
Transmission Mechanisms
- The aerodynamic and colloidal mechanisms by which aerosols disperse and transmit in air and deposit onto surfaces are important factors in the transmission of COVID-19 3.
- The size and environmental conditions of aerosols and droplets contaminated with SARS-CoV-2 particles can affect their viability and ability to cause infection 6.
- Activities such as expiration, coughing, sneezing, and talking can generate aerosols and droplets contaminated with SARS-CoV-2 particles, which can cause infection in a susceptible host 6.