/https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/61dda88cdeb3577c4e034ea8/0x0.jpg?cropX1=0&cropX2=3808&cropY1=193&cropY2=2335 "Covid 90% Less Infectious Five Minutes After Being Airborne, Study Suggests")
Topline
Coronavirus becomes 90% less infectious within just five minutes in the air according to a groundbreaking new study, findings researchers say underline the importance of masking and social distancing in preventing transmission.
Commuters wearing face masks make their way to work on March 26, 2020, in Tokyo.
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Key Facts
The University of Bristol study, which has not been peer-reviewed, was the first to simulate how coronavirus travels after it’s been exhaled, according to the Guardian.
The virus’ ability to infect humans dropped by a whopping 90% within five minutes of air time, researchers said, because the air dries out viral particles and the lack of carbon dioxide in the air triggers the virus’ pH levels to rise, both factors that make the virus less infectious.
Humidity plays a role in how quickly the infectivity of coronavirus drops, the researchers found, according to the Guardian, saying that dry air causes coronavirus to lose infectivity faster than humid air.
However, the study found that temperature in the air played no role in how infectious the virus was, according to the newspaper.
The team said the findings were the same for three variants they tested, and said they hope to begin the same experiment with omicron within weeks, according to the Guardian.
Crucial Quote
“People have been focused on poorly ventilated spaces and thinking about airborne transmission over meters or across a room. I’m not saying that doesn’t happen, but I think still, the greatest risk of exposure is when you’re close to someone,” the University of Bristol’s Aerosol Research Center director Jonathan Reid told the Guardian.
Key Background
On Monday, the U.S. reported 1.48 million new coronavirus cases, driven by the highly contagious omicron variant. The World Health Organization said Tuesday that as many as half of all Europeans could be infected with omicron by March if current trends continue.
Further Reading
Covid loses 90% of ability to infect within five minutes in air – study (The Guardian)
N95, KN95 Or Cloth Masks? What To Wear To Best Protect Against Omicron (Forbes)
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