"No evidence" of Coronavirus airborne spread ability

Department of health clearly said Tuesday that there is “no evidence” that the new coronavirus has the ability to be spread through the air.

The information was cited from the World Health Organization (WHO) which states that the virus is transmitted via droplets through breathing, coughing and sneezing.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque insisted that the basis of the virus could be patterned that of SARS as told by the WHO.

He added that there must be a misinterpretation of the word “aerosol” wherein the sneezing and coughing could reach distances of up to 3-6 feet which could contain the virus but not that it would be able to float in the air and be transferred to long distances.

The issue provoked the difference between the words aerosol and airborne whereas aerosol means transported through the air.

The DOH and WHO continues to recommend that people should frequently wash their hands and cover their mouth and nose when sneezing and coughing and should avoid having close contact with people who are sick.

As of now, the virus claimed about 1,000 lives in mainland China and continues to infect more and more people.

Meanwhile, in the Philippines, more than 300 people are still under observation.

photo courtesy: DOH