Highlights:
- The advisory emphasises the importance of well-ventilated spaces in diluting the viral load of contaminated air in poorly ventilated homes, workplaces, and other enclosed spaces.
- The location of the fan is essential in preventing infection transmission from one person to another.
- Keeping windows and doors open is good ventilation, but it’s not ideal because the fan’s location makes it possible for the virus to spread from one person to another.
As the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic rages in India, the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India has released a guideline titled “Stop the Transmission, Crush the Pandemic – Masks, sanitation, ventilation and distance to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus.”
The advisory emphasises the importance of well-ventilated spaces in diluting the viral load of contaminated air in poorly ventilated homes, workplaces, and other enclosed spaces. Ventilation can help to reduce the risk of infection spreading from one person to another.
The release stated that, similar to how odours can be diluted from the air by opening windows and doors and using exhaust systems, ventilating spaces with increased directional air flow reduces the amount of accumulated viral land in the air, lowering the risk of transmission.
At home or at work, ventilation is a community protection that protects us all. It is recommended that open air be introduced into offices, residences, and wider public spaces. In both urban and rural areas, measures to increase ventilation in these spaces must be prioritised, with guidelines for hutments, houses, workplaces, and large centralised buildings.
Simple strategies such as strategically placing fans, opening windows and doors, and even slightly opening windows can help add outdoor air and increase indoor air quality. According to the guideline, introducing cross ventilation and exhaust fans would help to prevent the disease from spreading.
Also Read: How Mumbai ‘Chased The Virus’ & Prepared For Covid Better Than Delhi
When enhanced outdoor air management system are minimal, enhancing central air filtration/increased filtration efficiency is particularly helpful in buildings with central air-management systems. Gable fan systems and roof ventilators are recommended in offices, auditoriums, and shopping malls, among other places. It is strongly advised that fitters be cleaned and replaced on a regular basis.
The primary mode of virus transmission is through saliva and nasal discharge in the form of droplets and aerosols by an infected person while exhaling, communicating, speaking, singing, smiling, coughing, or sneezing, for example. An individual who is infected but has no symptoms may also spread the virus.
The virus will still spread even if no signs are present. People should keep wearing masks, whether double masks, or N95 mask.
The SARS-CoV-2 virus infects a human host where it can multiply; it cannot survive without the host, and preventing the virus from spreading from one individual to another would reduce the disease’s infection rate to a point where it will eventually die. Individuals, families, local bodies, and authorities must both help and collaborate for this to happen. The fight against the virus can be won by using masks, ventilation, distancing, and sanitation, according to the statement.
