A group of researchers released a video that demonstrates the aerosol spread of the novel coronavirus.
According to scientists at Finland’s Aalto University, preliminary results show that coronavirus particles can remain in the air longer than previously understood, emphasizing the importance of social distancing protocols.
“This also reduces the risk of droplet infection, which remains the main path of transmission for coronavirus,” the University added in a statement.
The video opens with the message: “In the 3d model, a person coughs in a corridor bounded by shelves under representative indoor ventilation air flow conditions. As a result of coughing, an aerosol cloud travels in the air to the corridor. It takes up to several minutes for the cloud to spread and disperse.”
Viewers can then observe two people standing in what resemble grocery store aisles as one of them coughs. Over the course of the seven-minute time-lapse simulation, airborne particles carry the virus across two aisles.
“Extremely small particles of this size do not sink on the floor, but instead, move along in the air currents or remain floating in the same place,” the researchers wrote.
“Someone infected by the coronavirus can cough and walk away but then leave behind extremely small aerosol particles carrying the coronavirus,” explained Aalto University assistant professor Ville Vuorinen. “These particles could then end up in the respiratory tract of others in the vicinity.”
More than 1.5 million people have tested positive for the coronavirus globally. Of those, more than 91,000 have died from it, and more than 346,000 have recovered. The United States has seen at least 451,000 confirmed cases, with nearly 16,000 deaths and nearly 25,000 reported recoveries.
