The transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through the air has been studied at various places around the world. Researchers led by those at CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, and Tata institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS), Bengaluru carried out a study to get further insight into the transmission characteristics of the novel coronavirus in air in hospital settings and in residential areas and public places. The study, published in Journal of Aerosol Science, gives insights that are quite in keeping with common-sensical notions and underline the importance of masks in comparison with mere physical distancing.
Gauging virulence
A machine, which sucks in air, similar to a vacuum cleaner, fitted with a filter on which a gel was spread was taken and worked in the target areas. After running the machine for long durations stretching to an hour or two, samples collected from the filter were either used to carry out an RT-PCR test to determine the presence of the virus, or were cultured by infecting vero cells in the lab. The latter was done to find out if the collected virus samples were infectious.
