New WHO Guidelines Acknowledge Possibility Of Airborne Transmission Of COVID-19
Reporter Hyeryeon Chung ㅣ 2020-07-10 12:18
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Updated guidance by the World Health Organization acknowledges reports of airborne transmission of COVID-19, however its overall stance on the matter remains largely unchanged.
In its new transmission guidelines released Thursday, the WHO said some outbreak reports related to indoor crowded spaces have suggested the possibility of aerosol transmission, such as during choir practice, in restaurants and fitness classes, and "cannot be ruled out."
But it said more research was "urgently needed to investigate such instances and assess their significance for transmission of COVID-19."
The guidelines also suggest people should avoid crowds and ensure good ventilation in buildings, and encourage masks when physical distancing is not possible.
The update follows an open letter from nearly 239 scientists in 32 countries that urged the global body to update its guidance on how the virus passes between people.