Elsevier

Environmental Research

Volume 188, September 2020, 109819
Environmental Research

Review article
Transmission of COVID-19 virus by droplets and aerosols: A critical review on the unresolved dichotomy

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2020.109819Get rights and content

Highlights

  • Social distancing and wearing masks became popular worldwide for control of COVID-19.

  • Droplet and aerosol transmission of COVID-19 has been poorly understood.

  • Examples have been reported to speculate the airborne transmission of COVID-19.

  • Nosocomial infection through airborne transmission seems plausible in confined spaces.

  • Proper administrative, clinical, and physical measures are paramount to combat the transmission.

Abstract

The practice of social distancing and wearing masks has been popular worldwide in combating the contraction of COVID-19. Undeniably, although such practices help control the COVID-19 pandemic to a greater extent, the complete control of virus-laden droplet and aerosol transmission by such practices is poorly understood. This review paper intends to outline the literature concerning the transmission of virus-laden droplets and aerosols in different environmental settings and demonstrates the behavior of droplets and aerosols resulted from a cough-jet of an infected person in various confined spaces. The case studies that have come out in different countries have, with prima facie evidence, manifested that the airborne transmission plays a profound role in contracting susceptible hosts. The infection propensities in confined spaces (airplane, passenger car, and healthcare center) by the transmission of droplets and aerosols under varying ventilation conditions were discussed.

Interestingly, the nosocomial transmission by airborne SARS-CoV-2 virus-laden aerosols in healthcare facilities may be plausible. Hence, clearly defined, science-based administrative, clinical, and physical measures are of paramount importance to eradicate the COVID-19 pandemic from the world.

Keywords

Airborne transmission
Coronavirus
Lockdown
Masks
SARS-CoV-2

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