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Researchers warned today that the life-threatening and rapidly sweeping coronavirus can remain in the air from crowded places.
Experts in Wuhan, the Chinese city where the pandemic began, analyzed air samples from different parts of two hospitals.
The results showed that the virus, called SARS-CoV-2, was undetectable everywhere except in two ‘overcrowded’ areas.
The researchers found viral particles floating in the air in the hospital bathrooms, which had very little ventilation.
They also found especially high concentrations in rooms where medical personnel donned and removed protective gear.
The latter suggests that the virus can catch on clothing and fly again when when masks, gloves, and gowns are removed.
Passengers are photographed in a tube at the Canning Town station on the London Underground today
The researchers behind the study say the findings highlight the importance of ventilation, limit crowds, and adequate disinfection.
Scientists around the world are struggling to understand how the virus, which has now killed more than 200,000 people, spreads and spreads.
There is debate about whether enough viral particles can survive in the air to infect people who breathe them hours later.
The latest study, led by researchers from Wuhan University, suggests that it may be possible without adequate ventilation.
It follows a host of studies that have suggested that highly contagious disease doesn’t just spread through the drops by coughing or sneezing.
Ke Lan, a professor and director of the University’s State Virology Laboratory, and his colleagues installed so-called aerosol traps in and around two city hospitals.
They were unable to find detectable levels of the virus in the hallways of patient wards and rooms.
But they discovered them in toilets and in two areas that were passing through large crowds, including an interior space near one of the hospitals.
Writing in the study, the scientists said: ‘Although we have not established the infectivity of the virus detected in these hospital areas, we propose that SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted through aerosols.
“Our results indicate that room ventilation, open space, disinfection of protective clothing, and proper use and disinfection of bathing areas can effectively limit the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in aerosols.” .
It comes on the back of an EE study. USA Which hinted that the coronavirus could spread through the air and remain contagious for hours.
The University of Nebraska newspaper found high levels of the insect lurking in the air in hospital rooms long after the infected patients were gone.
In addition, traces of the coronavirus were also discovered in hospital corridors outside of patient rooms, where staff entered and exited.
The researchers behind the study say the finding highlights the importance of protective clothing for healthcare workers.
The researchers found viral particles in the air both inside the rooms and in the hallways outside the rooms.
Their finding suggests that people can get the bug without being around an infected person.
The study authors said this highlights the importance of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).
Meanwhile, access to PPE for NHS front-line staff is worsening despite government promises to increase supplies.
The Royal College of Physicians said those who work in high-risk areas still can’t always access disposable long-sleeved gowns and full-face facial viewers. He said the shortage had worsened in the past three weeks.
In a survey of 2,129 college members last Wednesday, 27 percent reported being unable to access the kit they needed to handle COVID-19 patients.
That compares to just over a fifth (22 percent) of doctors in a similar poll on April 1.
