A new study has revealed how long the coronavirus can linger the air of crowded places, such as on public transport and in toilets.
Researchers from the University of Wuhan found that the virus can linger in these areas for hours.
In the study, the team took samples from 30 sites across Wuhan, including inside hospitals and in public areas of the city.
An analysis of the samples revealed that in most public areas including in supermarkets and residential buildings the levels of airborne virus particles was low.
However, the samples taken in the hospital toilets told a very different story.
The levels of airborne virus particles were significantly higher in this area - perhaps due to its tendency to be overcrowded.
In their study, published in Nature, the researchers explained: “Airborne SARS-CoV-2 may come from either the patient's breath or from the virus-laden aerosol from patient’s faeces or urine during use.”
Meanwhile, the team also found high concentrations in rooms where medical staff removed their protective equipment.
This indicates that virus particles from masks, gloves, and gowns could easily become airborne.
The team didn’t examine whether these airborne particles could cause infections, but explain that it’s a possibility.
Professor Ke Lan, who led the study, said: “During breathing or talking, SARS-CoV-2 aerosol transmission might occur and impact people both near and far from the source.”
The study comes shortly after researchers from the Japanese Association for Infectious Disease used a high sensitivity camera to demonstrate just how far respiratory droplets are released from a man while sneezing and speaking.
The high sensitivity camera revealed that while large respiratory droplets quickly fell to the ground after the man sneezed, smaller particles lingered in the air.
The researchers explained: “These particles are all smaller than 10 micrometers, or 1/100 of a millimetre in diameter.”
