WHO Confirms “Emerging” Proof Of Airborne Transmission Of COVID-19

• The World Health Organization confirmed of a possible “emerging evidence” of airborne transmission of the novel coronavirus.
• Its confirmation came six month after the pandemic broke out worldwide.
• The admission follows soon after 239 scientists warned the public of their discovery.

After 239 scientists wrote a letter to the World Health Organization, the agency finally recognized that there is an “emerging evidence” of airborne transmission of the coronavirus.

In a press briefing, WHO Technical Lead for Infection Prevention and Control Dr. Benedetta Alleganzi said that they are now discussing and collaborating with various scientists on this latest development.

“We acknowledge that there is emerging evidence in this field, as in all other fields regarding the COVID-19 virus and pandemic… Therefore we believe that we have to be open to this evidence and understand its implications regarding the modes of transmission. And also regarding the precautions that need to be taken,” Alleganzi said in a press conference.

The 239 scientists urged WHO to be more forthcoming about the possibilities that people can contract the virus from “droplets floating in the air”.

Infectious disease epidemiologist Maria Van Kerkove added that many engineers were also signatories of the said letter. The engineers contributed on the essence of ventilation process and they also discussed about how droplets circulate in the surroundings.

Airborne and aerosol as the newest mode of transmission?

Van Kerkove also said that they are currently looking into possibility of airborne and aerosol transmission, as well as droplets, as one of the mode of transmissions of the novel COVID-19.

“We’ve looked at fomites. We’ve looked at fecal oral. We’ve looked at mother to child. We’ve looked at animal to human, of course as well,” she shared in a CNN report.

She assured that in the next few weeks, WHO will be releasing a scientific brief summary on this development.

Alleganzi admitted, however, that such evidence needs more research before they can confirm that COVID-19 can be transmitted through airborne. The possibility of airborne transmission in public settings, particularly in poor ventilated, crowded, and closed environment could not be ruled out.

“So these are fields of research that are really growing and for which there is some evidence emerging but is not definitive,” she explained.

Watch the press briefing: