Coronavirus: New Study Finds Covid-19 Virus Can Travel Up To 4 Metres

According to a new study by the US Centres for Disease Control, coronavirus can travel up to 4 meters in the air from an infected person.

(Photo by K M Asad/LightRocket via Getty Images)

New Delhi: According to a new study the coronavirus can travel up to 4 meters in the air from an infected person. Researchers from the Academy of Military Medical Sciences in Beijing found that the aerosol distribution characteristics indicated that the transmission distance of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) might be 4 meters (13 feet). For the study published in a journal by the US Centres for Disease Control, the researchers utilised air samples from the intensive care unit (ICU) and general wards that were used for COVID-19 patients of the Huoshenshan Hospital, Wuhan, China, which is the epicenter for the current pandemic. But the authors also indicated that the virus may not be as effective in causing an infection at that distance. The study also found that frequently touched surfaces such as computer mice, trash cans, sickbed handrails, and doorknobs had a high percentage of the virus. The research also said, ‘Sporadic positive results were obtained from sleeve cuffs and gloves of medical staff. These results suggest that medical staff should perform hand hygiene practices immediately after patient contact.’ Also Watch: But the highest concentration of virus was found on the hospital floor as gravity invariantly caused the virus-laden nasal or oral droplets from patients to fall on the floor. The study suggests that the shoes of the hospital staff can be carriers. According to the research paper, ‘The rate of positivity was relatively high for floor swab samples perhaps because of gravity and airflow causing most virus droplets to float to the ground. In addition, as medical staff walks around the ward, the virus can be tracked all over the floor, as indicated by the 100% rate of positivity from the floor in the pharmacy, where there were no patients. Furthermore, half of the samples from the soles of the ICU medical staff shoes tested positive. Therefore, the soles of medical staff shoes might function as carriers.’ ‘Social distancing’ or maintaining a physical space between oneself and others in public spaces is an important and effective measure to curb the spread of coronavirus infection. Earlier the World Health Organisation (WHO) had given the directive to maintain a 1 meter (3 feet) distance between persons. This standard is being followed all over the world. Shops even in India have marked spots for customers to stand one meter away from each other.  It is still too early to say if the new study will have any impact on the regulations for social distancing.