Publisher : The Epoch Times, via NTDTV / Editor : Ye Ping
Ref : https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2020/08/25/a102926053.html
Translation, editing : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA
The covid epidemic has been going on for more than half a year. Although scientists have learned more about SARS-CoV-2 the virus, the results of research on the spread of the virus show that the ways humans spread the virus are still elusive.
Are tiny droplets (called aerosols) suspended in the air containing the virus as the main route of transmission? How likely is it to be infected by touching a contaminated surface? These questions are still inconclusive. New research published recently shows that viruses can spread in unprecedented ways.
Low humidity
A study just published in Transboundary and Emerging Diseases confirms a study conducted in the Greater Sydney region of Australia in the early stages of the pandemic, which reported the relationship between low humidity and community transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
This new study led by Dr. Michael Ward from the Department of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Sydney adds new evidence. The research results show that low humidity is a key factor (one of) the spread of covi. Scientists estimate that for every 1% decrease in relative humidity, COVID-19 cases will increase by 7% to 8%. The same connection was not found in other weather patterns (such as rain, temperature or wind).
Dust in the air
Research from the University of California, Davis and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai) shows that influenza viruses can be transmitted through air, dust, fibers and other microscopic particles. So far, scientists believe that airborne transmission is mainly due to respiratory droplets caused by coughing, sneezing or talking.
According to the researchers, the surprising finding is that dust can spread viruses.
Not long ago, a joint open letter issued by 239 scientists was published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases. They stated in the letter that virus-carrying particles released when an infected person sneezes or coughs may stay in the air for longer than currently thought.
These scientists believe that there are smaller particles (than droplets). These smaller particles can stay in the air for a longer period of time, spread to longer distances through the air, and cause infection after being inhaled by the human body. They claim that there is new evidence that airborne transmission may be more cause for concern than droplet transmission.
The survival time of the virus on surfaces is not clear
Early studies have shown that covi can survive on the surface for up to six days, which is worrying.
Subsequent research indicated that the virus may not persist on the surface of the object as the original research showed, depending on the type of surface. But at present, there is no clear definite theory on how long the virus will survive on the surface.
Cleaning and disinfecting the surface of objects is still very important to control transmission. If someone coughs or sneezes, and then other people touch the contaminated surface within a few hours, there is still a risk of infection of the eyes, nose or mouth. But experts say that this way of transmission is not as critical as initially thought.
The effect of sheltering at home
Avoiding the epidemic at home and wearing masks are anti-epidemic programs adopted by many countries, and many experts also believe that this is an effective way to reduce the spread of the virus. However, some statistics show that infection at home is not absolutely possible.
In an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation’s BBC Breakfast program recently, British Health Secretary Matthew John David Hancock said that testing and tracking evidence provided by the NHS (National Health Service) showed that most people caught the disease when they were together at home, and it usually happens in one of the households.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo also stated on 6 May 6 2020 that most of the new hospitalized cases of covid in New York State come from those who stay at home and are not exposed to the risk outside.
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