New Delhi: How long does Coronavirus remain contagious so exhaled? Only five minutes.
That was what experimental studies by scientists at the University of Bristol in the UK suggested.
Virus loses most of his infectivity within five minutes after being converted into small particles and is quite light enough to carry in the air.
In 20 minutes, viral infectivity fell to 10% of the initial value, according to a pre-print study, which has not been reviewed by peer-reviewed but has been published online at Medrxiv.
The experiment involves a unique simulation technique where coronavirus samples are placed in special kits and electric fields used to float small droplets containing viruses for several minutes, such as in normal air.
Scientists adjust temperature, light and moisture and assess the change in viral infectivity.
According to published results, the decline in infectivity in relatively low humidity occurs immediately, falling to an average of 54% in 5 seconds generation.
“Interestingly, although the initial losses in infectivity in low RH are almost instant, viral infectivity then remains more stable, only reduces an average of 19% over the next 5 minutes.
In high RH, reducing infectivity after aerosolization is more gradual with the loss of 48% infectivity in The first 5 minutes.
Decay in survival appears on the plateau in the second RHS after 10 minutes, “the research said.
Public health specialists say these findings can have extensive consequences in terms of formulating steps to prevent Covid-19 transmission.
“The most important findings of this study are related to the fact that in 20 minutes, there is a reduction of 90% in the amount of viruses and relative humidity 50 or lower contributes to the reduction in the virus in the arrangement,” said Dr.
Chandrakant Lahariya, an epidemiology.
“These findings are still reviewed by non-peer.
However, if this is further verified and validated scientifically, they will provide additional insights that are useful into increasing ventilation for better protection than the transmission of Coronavirus.” Dr.
Pratibha Kale, clinical microbiology professor at ILBS, said manipulation of external factors, such as relative temperature and humidity, seems to help reduce the burden of viral aerosols and can be adopted as a protection strategy.
“It can be used in the aviation or school industry, where there is a closed environment with high aerosol spread,” he said.