Airborne transmission of COVID-19 cannot be ruled out says WHO

The World Health Organisation has recognised there is “evidence emerging” of airborne transmission of coronavirus, which could lead to changes of guidance on distancing.

Speaking at a briefing on Tuesday, the organisation’s COVID-19 technical lead Maria Van Kerkhove said discussion was ongoing in response to evidence that shows some virus particles linger in the air after being exhaled rather than sinking straight to the ground.

The findings were initially published in an open letter in the Clinical Diseases journal from 239 scientists in 32 countries, and encouraged WHO to update its guidance on transmission.

Currently, the Geneva-based agency says the illness is primarily spread by heavy droplets that fall to the floor once exhaled by an infected person.

In Nigeria, the federal government has continued to enforce regulations across the board even though most state governments have moved to relax restrictions.