COVID-19: WHO reviews evidence of airbone transmission

WHO expert committees are going over evidence on transmission of the virus and plan to release updated recommendations in a few days, agency scientists said in a news briefing.
The possibility of airborne transmission, especially in “crowded, closed, poorly ventilated settings, cannot be ruled out,” said Dr. Benedetta Allegranzi, who leads the W.H.O.’s committee on infection prevention and control.
However, the evidence needs to be gathered and interpreted, and we continue to support this.”
She said the agency recommends “appropriate and optimal ventilation” of indoor environments and physical distancing.
Agency staff fielded several reporters about the transmission of the virus by air, prompted by an open letter from 239 experts calling on the agency to review its guidance. Many of the letter’s signatories have collaborated with the W.H.O. and served on its committees.
Experts who signed the letter welcomed the W.H.O.’s announcement.
“We are happy that WHO has finally acknowledged the accumulating evidence and will add aerosol transmission indoors to the likely modes of transmission” for the coronavirus, said Jose-Luis Jimenez, a chemistry professor at the University of Colorado Boulder. “This will allow the world to protect themselves better and fight the pandemic.”