Our research scientist Dr Chunli Cao (PhD, CEng, Fellow of CBISE, MIMech) explains transmission of COVID-19 and the importance of Air Filtration.
What are the routes of transmission of the novel coronavirus?
• COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly through close contact from person-to-person in respiratory droplets from someone who is infected. People who are infected often have symptoms of illness. Some people who show no signs of illness may also be able to spread the virus. ‘COVID-19 is a new disease and we are still learning about how it spreads and the severity of illness it causes’ - CDC (Centre of Disease Control)
Person-to-person spread
• Current understanding about how the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spreads is largely based on what is known about similar coronaviruses. Person-to-person spread. Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet [1.8 metres])
• Via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
• These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
• How easily a virus spreads from person-to-person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious, like measles. Another factor is whether the spread is sustained, which means it goes from person-to-person without stopping.
• The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading very easily and sustainably between people. Information from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic suggest that this virus is spreading more efficiently than influenza.
Spread from contact with infected surfaces or objects • It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/transmission.html
Can the coronavirus aerosol be contained or cleansed?
• Government studies in the UK and USA conclude that air purification is key to containing aerosol transmission. The DNO catalyst filters we use at Purer Clean Air® eliminates airborne pollutants, bacteria and viruses completely.
• A paper regarding aerosol transmission was released by ASHREA in April 2020 has emphasised that distributed air purification is the route to better purification of air. Their conclusions about aerosol transmission regarding COVID-19 are below:
When appropriately selected and deployed, single-space high-efficiency filtration units (either ceiling mounted or portable) can be highly effective in reducing/lowering concentrations of infectious aerosols in a single space. They also achieve directional airflow source control that provides exposure protection at the patient bedside.
Statement on airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2: Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through the air is sufficiently likely that airborne exposure to the virus should be controlled. Changes to building operations, including the operation of heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems, can reduce airborne exposures.
