The Department of Health (DOH) advised the public anew to strictly observe minimum health standards after the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 being airborne.
“Although more definitive studies are necessary for non-healthcare settings, the public is enjoined to wear masks and practice the minimum health standards to reduce the transmission of the virus,” the DOH issued in a statement.
The WHO explained in its new scientific brief yesterday that the virus may remain in the air and float within a short distance in close and crowded settings without proper ventilation.
“Short-range aerosol transmission particularly in specific indoor locations, such as crowded and inadequately ventilated spaces over a prolonged period of time with infected persons cannot be ruled out,” the WHO claimed.
“Outside of medical facilities, some outbreak reports related to indoor crowded spaces have suggested the possibility of aerosol transmission, combined with droplet transmission, for example, during choir practice, in restaurants or in fitness classes,” it further stated.
The WHO earlier disclosed that COVID-19 may be also be transmitted through the air in some medical procedures.
Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque stated they will just leave the recent findings to health experts, and continued to remind the public to follow health standards.
As of July 10, the total count of confirmed COVID-19 cases reached 52, 914 and 38,324 of them are active, after 848 fresh and 385 late cases were added to the tally. The recovery tally reached 13,230 after 286 more patients recuperated, while the death toll increased to 1,360 with 42 new fatalities.
The DOH will launch on Monday its mass recovery program where more than 5,000 will be added to the list. – Report from Mark Fetalco
