Airborne transmission of COVID-19 is a real threat, as particles from an infected person can move around an entire room or interior space and remain in the air for hours. The virus can also be spread if someone touches their eyes, nose, or mouth after touching a surface or object with the virus. Without cleaning or disinfection, the COVID-19 virus can stay on surfaces for hours to days, although the risk of infection from contact with contaminated surfaces is low. The World Health Organization (WHO) and other organizations initially denied that the new coronavirus could stay in the air and move like smoke.
However, over the next two years, they quietly changed their stance and admitted that the virus could spread through respiratory droplets, which are heavy balls that come out of our nose and mouth and fall quickly to the ground. They also reluctantly acknowledged that these droplets could hang in the air and be inhaled by someone farther away. It is important to understand how long COVID-19 can remain airborne in order to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and others from infection. The virus can remain in the air for hours, so it is essential to practice social distancing, wear a face mask, and regularly clean and disinfect surfaces.
