[ad_1]
Low-noise areas in high-risk enclosed spaces, such as hospitals and restaurants, could help reduce the chance of infection with the new coronavirus, the scientists found.
A recent study shows that a decrease in the volume of the voice can help limit the spread of the COVID-19 disease, Reuters reported Thursday.
A 6 decibel reduction in average voice volume can have the same effect as doubling ventilation in an enclosed space, noted a team of American scientists.
“The results suggest that public health authorities should consider implementing ‘quiet areas’ in high-risk closed environments, such as hospital waiting rooms or dining areas,” concluded six researchers from the University. California, according to Agerpres.
The World Health Organization (WHO) changed its guidelines in July recognizing the possibility of transmitting the coronavirus through aerosols, such as in restaurants or gyms or singing in a choir.
Microscopic droplets expelled during speech evaporate and leave particles large enough to carry viable viruses, the scientific article shows.
An increase of approximately 35 decibels in the volume of the voice, or the difference between whispering and shouting, increases the particle emission rate by 50 times.
The normal volume of a conversation exceeds the level of 10 decibels, while the ambient noise in restaurants is about 70 decibels.
“Not all enclosures are similar in terms of risk of aerosol transmission,” said lead researcher William Ristenpart. “A crowded classroom with a low volume of noise is much less dangerous than an uncrowded karaoke bar, where customers respect physical distance, but speak and sing while the music is loud,” said. added.
The number of deaths worldwide caused by the new coronavirus surpassed 900,000 on Wednesday, while the number of infection cases worldwide surpassed 27.7 million, according to a Reuters report. On average, more than 5,600 people die every day, according to Reuters estimates.
