Hotels and Apartment Societies may have higher risk

Latest research indicates possible Airborne Covid Transmission through Air Ducts: after a series of infections, all 437 residents of an apt building were tested. 10 infections uncovered, all living on different floors but along two vertical lines with openings through their bathrooms.

Ventilation shaft is located along each vertical line where shafts connect to units through blowhole in bathrooms. Units built before installation of exhaust fans w/backdraft dampers became compulsory. Thus, there was no physical block for air entering the room from the air duct.

Study also implies that the rigid rules of safe distancing that stick to droplet and contact transmission based on an outdated dichotomous notion of respiratory droplet or aerosols should be reconsidered.

This also means higher risk for people living in apartment buildings , working in multi story offices and staying in hotels. Attached research more

Helpful Transforming India Dec 22

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Dr. Ajay Jain (Expert)

Good scientific information more

Dec 27

Rohini Bhat

So what are you wanting people to do who live in apartments? Do you have fear mongering on mind or a solution?? more

Dec 27

Deenaz Bulsara

I do believe what you stated can be true Harsimran, as I have studied much literature that states that the virus can be transmitted thru the a/c ducts for sure. more

Dec 23

Ramachandran M Nair (Customer Support Construction Equipment, Heavy Commercial Vehicles, Busess)

Where did I go "way off" madam?You haven't answered one question I asked.Did you? Can you at least show where is South Korea on a map without the help of Google. Yes I am a senior citizen and I have been to S.Korea many times and have good friends there.You are from Lucknow and I know they respect elderly people as my wife is from Lucknow.We married 50 years ago when your parents may not have been born. If you have some तमीज़ answere my questions,than shooting off an one line answer. more

Dec 23

Harsimran Kaur

Thanks Sujata. Nair ji, South Korea I have not been to but its densely populated with a lot of apartment living and therefore a good case study for India. If the virus can travel through air ducts of a building we have a problem for sure in big cities with high rises. If we dont stay alert we will loose out. I have had 3 members in extended family and friends lose lives to Covid-19. Dont want a covid-20 in the form of b117 variant strain creating havoc in India. Will do all it takes to create awareness. more

Dec 23

Tiru Narayan (Retired)

Where there is a crowded place, like India where the population density (people/Sq. Km.) is high 382 (2011), there will be greater chance of any infection, not just CV19. In some places, it is as high as close to 2,000. The results of this Korean report may be helpful lessons-learned to building architects world over. As for CV19, though scientists and researchers have concluded that a safe distance of 2m (6') would significantly reduce the chance of contracting the virus, my humble opinion is that is not so. The virus-particles may be heavier than influenza virus, but it is still very light and thus definitely airborne. For example, any virus will travel farther with wind-speed, not just 2m; unless it's longevity is very short. So, it behooves us to always wear a physical barrier over mouth (to prevent transmitting the virus to others) and nose (to prevent contracting the virus). It behooves us to maintain as far a distance as possible from others (household members excepted, perhaps). By the way, CV19 is here to stay with us, just like any other virus. I am hopeful that with improved medical science, the impact will become more manageable, just like any other disease. Stay safe. All the best. more

Dec 23

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