SAMRC: Review of PPE, social distancing if Covid-19 is airborne
The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) says Covid-19 health and safety protocols will have to be reviewed if the virus is found to be airborne.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) announced on Tuesday that there is emerging evidence suggesting that Covid-19 may also be transmitted through the air.
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The organisation had previously stated that the virus is primarily spread through expelled mucus droplets that sink to the floor or surfaces.
The council’s vice-president Professor Jefferey Mphahlele says once airborne transmission is confirmed, then it will have to review the guidelines on protective gear and social distancing.
“There are some issues and people are worried because if you have droplets that are infectious and are suspended in the air then the question becomes how effective are the masks and how effective is social distancing?
“Should this airborne transmission be confirmed, and a consensus be reached, then we are looking for some guidelines as to how far the droplets can travel and how long the droplets can be suspended.”