The World Health Organization (WHO) is acknowledging there is “evidence emerging” of coronavirus spreading through the air.
The WHO has previously said the virus that causes COVID-19 spreads primarily through small droplets expelled from the nose and mouth of an infected person, that quickly sinks to the ground.
But in an open letter published this week, 239 scientists in 32 countries outlined evidence that they say shows floating virus particles can infect people who breathe them in.
Because those smaller exhaled particles can linger in the air, the scientists in the group have been urging the WHO to update its guidance.
“We have been talking about the possibility of airborne transmission and aerosol transmission as one of the modes of transmission of COVID-19,” Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s technical lead on COVID-19, said.
The change in guidance was also mentioned by Benedetta Allegranzi, the WHO’s technical lead for infection prevention and control.
She said there was evidence emerging of airborne transmission of the coronavirus, but that it was not definitive.☁
