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COVID-19 is airborne, scientists ask WHO to revise recommendations

Around 200 scientists across the world have urged the World Health Organisation (WHO) to look over its recommendations after they have found the indication that novel COVID-19 in form of smaller particles in the air can infect people, the New York Times reported on Saturday.

In the early theory of WHO, it had said the deadly infection spreads primarily from one person to another through small droplets from the nose or mouth, which are expelled when a person with COVID-19 coughs, sneezes, or speaks.

A letter has been sent by the scientists to the agency informing that they have planned to publish the research next week.

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According to NYT, 239 scientists in 32 countries highlighted the evidence showing smaller droplets can infect people, however, WHO did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“Whether carried by large droplets that zoom through the air after a sneeze, or by much smaller exhaled droplets that may glide the length of a room, the coronavirus is borne through the air and can infect people when inhaled,” the scientists said, according to the NYT.

However, WHO said the evidence by the researchers for the virus being airborne was not convincing, reported NYT.

Dr. Benedetta Allegranzi, the WHO’s technical lead of infection prevention and control, was quoted as saying by the NYT that  “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”.

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