Researchers have published a study that states Covid-19 particles appear to linger in the air in crowded spaces or rooms that lack ventilation.

This study reinforces the notion that Covid-19 can spread through tiny airborne particles known as aerosols, Bloomberg reported.

Covid-19 particles may linger in air of crowded spaces

The study, which was published on Monday, April 27, 2020 in the journal Nature Research, did not seek to establish whether the airborne particles could cause infections.

Researchers found bits of the virus’s genetic material floating in the air of hospital toilets, and rooms where medical staff take off protective gear.

Areas where this was observed were in indoor spaces housing large crowds, namely two hospitals in Wuhan, China.

The researchers, led by Ke Lan of Wuhan University, set up "aerosol traps" in and around two hospitals in Wuhan, the original epicentre of the virus.

They found few aerosols in patient wards, supermarkets and residential buildings, but detected a lot more in toilets and two areas that had large crowds passing through, including an indoor space near one of the hospitals.

Especially high concentrations appeared in the rooms where medical staff take off protective equipment, which could suggest that particles contaminating their gear became airborne again when masks, gloves and gowns were being removed.

Study highlights importance of ventilation & limiting crowds

The findings highlight the importance of ventilation, limiting crowds and careful sanitation efforts, according to researchers behind the study.

In Singapore, circuit breaker measures have been extended by four weeks to June 1, 2020.

Singaporeans have been urged to stay home, and only go out for essential needs, such as buying food or groceries.

Singaporeans cannot afford to be complacent, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in his public address on April 21, and must press on "to bring down daily infections more sharply, to a single-digit, or even zero".

PM Lee also emphasised the importance of reducing the number of unlinked cases, noting that the number has not come down.

"This suggests that there is a larger, hidden reservoir of Covid-19 cases in the community, and this reservoir is the source of these unlinked cases, which we have not detected," said PM Lee.

On April 27, 2020, there were 18 new Covid-19 infections found in the local community, as numbers remain in double digits.

Related stories:

Top image via Joshua Lee