This week, the World Health Organization said there is “emerging evidence” of the airborne transmission of the coronavirus.
As cases of the virus continue to grow in Georgia and throughout the country, the organization said in a briefing on Tuesday that there is reason to believe it can spread through droplets in the air.
“We acknowledge that there is emerging evidence in this field, as in all other fields regarding the Covid-19 virus and pandemic 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,” WHO’s Dr. Benedetta Alleganzi said.
On Monday, a group of more than 230 scientists signed a letter that urged WHO to acknowledge the potential for airborne spread.
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Alleganzi said more research must be done on the transmission possibilities, but acknowledged the risk of activities like gathering in groups in indoor spaces.
“And therefore, the possibility of airborne transmission in public settings, especially in very specific conditions crowded, closed, poorly ventilated settings that have been described cannot be ruled out. However, the evidence needs to be gathered and interpreted.”
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