More proof needed to back new study that coronavirus is airborne -Vergeire

More evidence is needed to support a study claiming that airborne transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19 is possible, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said on Saturday.

"Sa mga ganitong ebidensya, kailangan pa pong suportahan ng mas malawak na ebidensya para masabi natin talaga na ang virus na ito can be spread thru airborne," Vergeire said at the Laging Handa public briefing.

"So kung sakaling maglabas pa ng additional evidence in the coming days, malalaman po natin ito at ito naman ay ipagbibigay alam at magkakaroon ng information coming from the international experts para po tayo maka-align sa ating mga protocol," Vergeire said.

Vergeire maintained that the virus is spread through close contact, citing the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

"Sa ngayon po, ang ating mga esksperto, pati WHO, CDC, ang kanila pa rin pong ebidensya ay droplet infection ito through close contact," she said.

Vergeire said the wearing of masks is still important, as droplets could travel as far as six feet away.

The DOH spokesperson's comments came after a study from The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA (PNAS) compared COVID-19 infection rate trends in Italy and New York before and after mask-wearing rules were implemented.

"The unique function of face covering to block atomization and inhalation of virus-bearing aerosols accounts for the significantly reduced infections," the researchers said, as the study indicated "that airborne transmission of COVID-19 represents the dominant route for infection."

The DOH had previously maintained that COVID-19 is transmitted through respiratory droplets amid circulation of online information that the virus may linger in the air in some situations. -MDM, GMA News