China's National Health Commission has made a startling claim on Wednesday, Feb, 19: A person may be infected with the Covid-19 through inhaling high concentrations of virus-containing aerosols in a relatively closed environment for a long time.

New transmission route

The update was added to the sixth edition of the diagnosis and treatment plan issued by the country's top health body, China Daily reported.

It was a shift by the national health commission, which previously said aerosol transmission for the virus has yet to be confirmed.

The update is in addition to two existing transmission routes, which are direct transmission and contact transmission.

Aerosol transmission occurs when virus-containing droplets that are suspended for long periods of time in the air are inhaled.

Conflicting reports

Previously, on Feb. 8, the deputy head of the Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau listed aerosol transmission as one of the ways of contracting the Covid-19.

A day after the announcement, however, a medical expert from China's Centre for Disease Control and Prevention said there is no hard evidence as to whether the virus can be transmitted through aerosols.

China's National Health Commission also said on the same day that transmission of the Covid-19 through aerosols has yet to be confirmed.

Singapore's Ministry of Health (MOH) then said in a statement on Feb. 10 that there is currently no proof that the Covid-19 can be transmitted through aerosols.

Mothership has reached out to MOH for its views on the matter.

No need to panic

Sun Siqing, a doctor at the respiratory department of Nanjing Chest Hospital, said on China Daily that there is no need to panic even though it is possible for the Covid-19 to be transmitted through aerosols.

This is because aerosol transmission is not without its weakness.

Aerosol suspensions of viruses gradually become inactive and disperse, he said.

He added that in natural environments, wind and water can cause smaller particles to come together and form bigger ones, which allows the aerolised virus to disperse faster.

Therefore, since aerosols generally last longer in enclosed spaces where air flow is limit, the best way to get rid of them is to "maintain a flow of air", he said.

Top image via People's Daily