Aerosols 'key transmission mode' of COVID-19, can travel up to 10 metres: Government issues fresh guidelines
Office of Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, on Thursday, issued guidelines to 'stop the transmission, crush the pandemic' and advised the use of masks, social distancing, sanitation and ventilation to prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19). The Office of Principal Scientific Adviser to GoI said that 'aerosols and droplets are the key transmission mode of the virus'. "Aerosols can be carried in the air up to 10 meters," it said.
"Even one infected person showing no symptoms can release enough droplets to create a “viral load” that can infect many others," the Principal Scientific Adviser said.
The advisory highlighted the important role well-ventilated spaces play in diluting the viral load of infected air in poorly ventilated houses, offices etc. Ventilation can decrease the risk of transmission from one infected person to the other.
According to the guidelines, ventilation is a 'community defense' against the spread of the deadly virus. "The SARS COV-2 virus infects a human host where it can multiply. In the absence of the host, it cannot survive and stopping the transmission of the virus from person to another person will decrease the infection rate of the disease to a level where it can eventually die. This can be achieved only with the support and cooperation of individuals, communities, local bodies and authorities. (With the) use of masks, ventilation, distancing and sanitation, the battle against the virus can be won."
ICMR clears home testing with RAT
The latest guidelines come a day after the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) issued SOPs for carrying out home testing using Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT).
On Tuesday, while addressing a meeting of district officials, PM Narendra Modi had stressed that even though the number of cases in the country is not the decline, there is a need to be 'more alert' and work towards saving 'every single life'. As reported earlier by Times Now, India's COVID-19 cases have been on the decline over the past few days and the number of recoveries have exceeded the number of cases recorded on a daily basis.
