The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released guidelines stating that airborne transmission of COVID-19 is possible through indoor air environments. This particularly concerns individuals who spend long hours in crowded and poorly-ventilated rooms with others. WHO changed their stance after 293 scientists wrote to it. They requested the organization to rethink its position on airborne transmission of COVID-19. Considering the concerns about airborne transmission, safety experts, building managers, and homeowners need to take action. An experienced HVAC technician can help optimize airflow and ventilation to reduce the chances of spreading the virus indoors.

Different Ways The Coronavirus COVID-19 Can Spread

There’s still a lot of uncertainty about the COVID-19 pandemic. However, one thing scientists are sure of is that the disease is highly infectious and can even be transmitted through indoor air environments. Research has shown that the disease is mainly spread when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or talks. These actions are responsible for expelling respiratory droplets that contain coronavirus droplets. If the droplets are inhaled or land on any person nearby, then they are capable of spreading the virus.

Touching computers, screens, doorknobs, or any other surface containing the droplets can lead to COVID-19 infection. The new guidelines released by the World Health Organization (WHO) of wearing masks and maintaining social distance is a reflection of the above observations. However, the question that still puzzles many scientists and medical experts is whether the small COVID-19 particles can become lighter and travel over some distance.

In-Room Airborne Transmission of COVID-19

Despite the fact that large droplets of about five microns to 10 microns can travel a distance of more than one meter before settling on a surface, tiny droplets can evaporate and leave and leave behind particles virus known as aerosols hanging in the air. A study conducted recently revealed that can remain active on a surface for up to three hours after being released. WHO had initially ruled out any possibility of spreading COVID-19 through aerosols but later reversed its position.

The World Health Organization admitted that there is substantial evidence concerning in-room transmission of COVID-19. This implies that indoor air quality plays a big role in reducing the rate of airborne transmission. In addition, the United States Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that asymptomatic patients are able to transmit the virus at close range.

Upgrade HVAC System For Better Indoor Air Quality

In some circumstances, it is difficult to prevent close proximity of others or even physical contact. This increases the risk of COVID-19 airborne transmission. This has already prompted most employers to implement a number of measures to improve ventilation and indoor air quality. This can be done by improving the quality and efficiency of an air conditioning, heating and ventilation (HVAC) system. It also includes properly adjusting it’s settings by an experienced technician.

There are several significant changes and upgrades that expert HVAC technicians can implement to reduce the airborne transmission of COVID-19:

1. Installing effective in-duct air purifiers to new or existing HVAC systems
2. Inserting variable-speed motors instead of the fixed ones to increase airflow and permit minimum settings that reduce the flow of air
3. Installing HVAC and air purification systems with the higher-performance capacity to improve indoor air quality, depending on space
4. Configuring complex airflow-control systems to their optimal settings