Over two hundred health experts have signed an open letter in an attempt to get the World Health Organization (WHO), to recognize Covid-19 as an airborne disease.
According to the New York Times, 239 scientists from 32 different countries, sent an open letter (which may be published in a scientific journal next week) to WHO, outlining the evidence that smaller particles from the virus can infect people.
The World Health agency had posited that the virus spreads primarily from person to person through small droplets which are expelled when a person with COVID-19 coughs, sneezes or speaks.
They believe that once the droplets leave the carrier, they quickly fall to the ground. But, the new evidence from the scientists proves the virus stays in the air much longer.
As a result, the experts are mounting pressure on WHO to update their regulations regarding the spread of the deadly virus.
Recognizing covid-19 as an airborne illness will help develop more precautionary measures in limiting the spread.
Meanwhile, WHO doesn’t seem to accept this new findings.
According to a statement by the technical lead on infection control, Dr. Benedetta Allegranzi, the agency doesn’t believe the virus is airborne.
“Especially in the last couple of months, we have been stating several times that we consider airborne transmission as possible but certainly not supported by solid or even clear evidence,” she said. “There is a strong debate on this.”
Therefore, the organization continues to promote the regulations it established at the beginning of the pandemic.
