Is the Coronavirus (COVID-19) airborne ?

COLOMBO (News 1st); While airborne transmission of COVID-19 has been reported in some scientific studies, this does not appear to be the main way the virus spreads, highlighted the Sri Lankan office of the World Health Organization on Tuesday (27).

"The virus that causes COVID-19 infection mainly spreads between people when an infected person is in close contact with another person. Through close, or direct contact or possibly contaminated surfaces," a statement noted. “The new strain is airborne, the droplets can remain airborne for nearly an hour,” said Prof. Neelika Malavige, the Head of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Sciences of the Sri Jayewardenepura University said on the 23rd of April 2021. Speaking to reporters the professor went on to note that in addition to transmission of the virus via droplets, the World Health Organization research had confirmed that the virus is also airborne. Sri Lanka's State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control, Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle said The Lancet Global Health publication had prepared research that confirms that COVID-19 can transmit via droplets that remain in the air for a certain period. Director-General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena speaking to reporters on Tuesday (27) said though it is impossible to confirm if COVID-19 is airborne, it is clear the coronavirus is spreading fast.