Scientists in the past few months have made the assumptions that the new coronavirus can be spread through “hanging” in the air microdroplets, which distinguish infected people when they talk and breathe. But still there was no clear evidence that these tiny particles carry the infection. And that such evidence was found.
a New study conducted by researchers from the University of Nebraska, showed that coronavirus obtained from the microdroplets with a size less than five microns, can be reproduced in the laboratory.
it tells the Global Times, this confirms the hypothesis that not only coughing and sneezing, but also a very normal conversation and just breathing can be responsible for the distribution of COVID-19 – and what an infectious dose of virus can cover distances much greater than two meters, defined by the rules of social distancing.
the Results of this study are still considered preliminary, they have not published in a peer-reviewed journal, which would give more confidence to the methods used by researchers.
In March, the same team of scientists prepared an article in which it was shown that the virus remains in the air in the wards of hospitalized patients with COVID-19, and this study will soon be published in the journal, according to the lead author.
In fact, it is quite difficult to collect samples, told AFP associate Professor Medical center University of Nebraska Joshua Santarpia. The researchers for this purpose is used a device the size of a cell phone, but due to the fact that “concentrations, usually very low, your chances of recovery material small.”
the Scientists took air samples from five rooms of bedridden patients, at a height of about 30 inches above their beds.
the Patients were talking, producing microdroplets that for a few hours hung in the air in so-called “aerosol”, and some of the patients coughed.
the Team managed to collect microdroplets with a diameter of just one micron.
the researchers Then placed the samples in culture in order to make them grow, and discovered that three of the 18 samples tested demonstrated the ability to reproduce.
Joshua Santarpia this is evidence that microdroplets, which are also moved to a much larger distance than larger droplets that can infect people.
“They replicate in cell culture and therefore contagious,” the scientist said.
Recognition of the potential for transmission of coronavirus using microdroplets may constitute grounds for appeals to the universal wearing of protective masks.
