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July 8, 2020 07:00 am

WHO To Review Evidence of Airborne Transmission of Coronavirus

After hundreds of experts urged the World Health Organization to review mounting scientific research, the agency acknowledged on Tuesday that airborne transmission of the coronavirus may be a threat in indoor spaces. The New York Times reports: W.H.O. expert committees are going over evidence on transmission of the virus and plan to release updated recommendations in a few days, agency scientists said in a news briefing. The possibility of airborne transmission, especially in "crowded, closed, poorly ventilated settings, cannot be ruled out," said Dr. Benedetta Allegranzi, who leads the W.H.O.'s committee on infection prevention and control. She said the agency recommends "appropriate and optimal ventilation" of indoor environments, as well as physical distancing. Agency staff fielded several questions from reporters about transmission of the virus by air, prompted by an open letter from 239 experts calling on the agency to review its guidance. Many of the letter's signatories have collaborated with the W.H.O. and served on its committees. [...] W.H.O. scientists said that for the past few months, the infection prevention committee has been weighing the evidence on all the ways in which the coronavirus spreads, including by tiny droplets or aerosols. "We acknowledge that there is emerging evidence in this field, as in all other fields," Dr. Allegranzi said. "And therefore, we believe that we have to be open to this evidence and understand its implications regarding the modes of transmission and also regarding the precautions that need to be taken." It will also be important to understand the importance of transmission by aerosols compared with larger droplets, and the dose of the virus needed for infection from aerosols, she said. "These are fields that are really growing and for which there is evidence emerging, but it is not definitive," she said. "However, the evidence needs to be gathered and interpreted, and we continue to support this."

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