Open-Letter From 239 Experts, Forces WHO to Revise Position On COVID-19 Airborne Risks – What Does This Mean for Healthcare Workers Safety?

The World Health Organization has jumped on the bandwagon after 239 scientists publish an open-letter confirming that coronavirus microscopic respiratory airborne particles from exhalation, talking, and coughing can remain in the air of indoor areas and pose a risk of exposure at distances beyond 1 to 2 m from an infected individual.

Thursday, the World Health Organization acknowledged the possibility that coronavirus microscopic respiratory airborne particles can remain in the air of crowded indoor areas, spreading the virus from one person to the next at distances beyond two meters from an infected individual.

The announcement followed after 239 scientists in 32 countries published an open letter addressed to the WHO, asking the organization to revise its coronavirus recommendations.

The data collected, according to the experts, confirms beyond any reasonable doubt, the significant risk of exposure to the virus through the inhalation of microdroplets of exhalation, talking, and coughing from an infected individual, at distances beyond 1 to 2 meter (3 to 6 feet).

“There is significant potential for inhalation exposure to viruses in microscopic respiratory droplets (microdroplets) at short to medium distances (up to several meters, or room-scale), and we are advocating for the use of preventive measures to mitigate this route of airborne transmission”

Open letter to WHO – It is Time to Address Airborne Transmission of COVID-19

The international organization has long maintained that coronavirus was mainly transmitted by large respiratory droplets, which fall quickly to the ground after being expelled in coughs and sneezes by infected people. At a June 29 update, the WHO said airborne transmission of the disease is possible only after medical procedures that produce aerosols or droplets smaller than 5 microns.

“We appeal to the medical community and to the relevant national and international bodies to recognize the potential for airborne spread of COVID-19,” stated the open letter.

The letter further addressed the possible contamination radius, “There is significant potential for inhalation exposure to viruses in microscopic respiratory droplets (microdroplets) at short to medium distances (up to several meters, or room-scale), and we are advocating for the use of preventive measures to mitigate this route of airborne transmission.”

What does the WHO announcement mean for healthcare workers?

As a result of Thursday’s announcement based on the compelling international research, healthcare institutions and employers need to review the protocol and procedures regarding air-circulation in their establishments.

Hospitals and long-term care centres will need to answer among others, the following questions regarding their buildings ventilation and Personal Protective Equipment protocols.

• Which additional group of employees will now qualify for an N95 mask, which can filter out even the smallest respiratory droplets?
• What modifications or adjustments will be necessary for the safe operation and maintenance of the establishments ventilation systems?

Despite the large number of health experts emphasizing the WHO announcement is past due, when all is said and done, the organization’s statement highlights, even if tepidly, new insights into COVID-19 proliferation. In particular, people showing no COVID-19 symptoms can still spread the virus, and coronavirus microscopic respiratory droplets can travel distances greater than current social distancing recommendations.