In a press briefing broadcasted live from Switzerland on Mar. 16, the World Health Organisation (WHO) noted that there is a "possibility"  for the Covid-19 to be aerosolised.

Aerosol-generating procedures may cause the virus to stay in the air longer

Dr. Maria van Kerkhove, head of WHO's emerging diseases and zoonosis unit, said that they are aware of several studies looking at the different environmental conditions in which the virus could persist.

This includes a study that examines "aerosol-generating procedures."

Currently, it is understood that the virus is transmitted through droplets.

"What we know about droplet transmission is that when they come out of an infected person and individual as they go a certain distance, but then they settle", van Kerkhove says.

"But when you do an aerosol-generating procedure like in a medical care facility, you have the possibility to what we call aerosolize these particles which means they can stay in the air a little bit longer."

According to The Ministry of Health's National Infection Prevention And Control Guidelines, certain procedures in a medical context are considered aerosol-generating procedures, including intubation and bronchoscopy.

Only medical workers need to take airborne precautions

As such, van Kerkhove says that in such situations, it is "very important that healthcare workers take additional precaution" against airborne transmission, in addition to standard precautions against droplet transmissions.

She emphasises that the everyday person only need to take the standard "respiratory etiquette" when we sneeze or cough, and reiterated that people do not need to wear a medical mask unless they are unwell.

"We are confident that the guidance that we have is appropriate", van Kerkhove adds.

Top image via WHO's Youtube video