WHO reviewing scientists’ claim of airborne spread of coronavirus

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday said that it was reviewing the report that urged the agency to update guidance on the novel coronavirus after more than 200 scientists, in a letter to the health agency, outlined evidence the virus can spread in tiny airborne particles.

On Monday the media quoted WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic as saying (in an email) that “We are aware of the article and are reviewing its contents with our technical experts.”

The WHO had earlier said that the evidence for the virus being airborne was not convincing.

Last week hundreds of scientists said there is evidence that novel coronavirus in smaller particles in the air can infect people and also called for the World Health Organization to revise recommendations. In an open letter to the agency, which the researchers plan to publish in a scientific journal this week, 239 scientists in 32 countries outlined the evidence showing smaller particles can infect people.

Earlier, the WHO had maintained that the coronavirus disease spreads primarily from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth, which are expelled when a person with COVID-19 coughs, sneezes or speaks.