Hundreds of scientists say there is evidence that the new, smaller particulate coronavirus in the air can infect people and are asking the World Health Organization to review the recommendations, The New York Times reported Saturday.
The WHO has said that coronavirus disease spreads mainly from person to person through small drops from the nose or mouth, which are expelled when a person with COVID-19 coughs, sneezes, or speaks.
In an open letter to the agency, which researchers plan to publish in a scientific journal next week, 239 scientists in 32 countries described evidence showing that smaller particles can infect people, the newspaper said.
The WHO did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Whether carried by large airborne droplets after a sneeze, or by much smaller exhaled droplets that can glide across a room, the coronavirus is airborne and can infect people when inhaled , according to reports, according to the report. .
However, the health agency said the evidence for the virus in the air was unconvincing, according to the report.
“Especially in the past few months, we have been repeatedly claiming that we believe airborne transmission is possible, but it certainly is not supported by strong or even clear evidence,” said Dr. Benedetta Allegranzi, technical leader for infection prevention and control at The OMS. quoted by The New York Times.
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