The emergence of the Coronavirus pandemic has brought numerous effects to individuals globally, with many individuals being forced to readjust to the new norms. At the onset of the disease, there were many uncertainties regarding its origin, nature of transmission and spread, the effects, and other of its general morphological aspects (Bowdle et al., 2020). However, recent researchers have identified and clearly explained, with evidence, robust information concerning the novel coronavirus disease. Also, medical practitioners have learned that the virus undergoes mutations, with its complexities getting worse (UNICEF, 2020). As a respiratory infection, coronavirus is transmitted when one comes into contact with the droplets released during coughing or sneezing. Current evidence indicates that the primary transmission media for covid-19 is through the respiratory droplets; only on rare occasions is the disease spread through the air as per the analysis conducted in China.
Transmission through droplets usually occurs if the victim is close to other healthy individuals, usually a meter or less distance. With the tremendous effects and health complications, it is potentially risky to engage closely with individuals showing respiratory symptoms such as sneezing and coughing (UNICEF, 2020). Being in close contact with the infected persons exposes them to touching or inhaling harmful substances in the form of droplets released to the environment by the victims of the disease (“Modes of transmission of the virus causing COVID-19: Implications for IPC precaution recommendations,” 2020). Droplets released by covid-19 contain notable amounts of aerosol content, a potential carrier of the virus. Droplets are the most prevalent form of transmitting the virus from the victims to other individuals (UNICEF, 2020). Curbing the spread through that medium calls from proper hygiene of surfaces, maintaining social distances beyond a meter, and ensuring strict and proper use of masks.
Transmission through fomites in the environment of the victim is also evident regarding coronavirus spread. Fomite transmission is associated with the substances formed on surfaces whenever particles are expelled from an infected person through uncontrolled coughs and sneezes. The deposited substances on the surfaces could stay for hours and even days, and they are significantly contaminated by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and RNA that RT-PCR usually detects (Bowdle et al., 2020). Even though nature and spread depend on ambient environmental factors such as humidity and temperature, the virus can survive on long-term surfaces. Transmission through contaminated surfaces has not been thoroughly researched; hence there is limited information supporting its dominance (“How does coronavirus spread?,” 2020). It is also difficult to discern the difference between the transmission that occurs through the droplets and fomites since the droplets engulf the surfaces to constitute fomites (Bowdle et al., 2020). Objects such as stethoscopes or telescopes act as potential carriers of the virus since medical officers often use them in their daily interactions with the covid-19 patients. The speculation that only some surfaces have the potential of sustaining the virus for more extended periods is evident. However, research has not yet revealed any surface that cannot act as a transmission media for the virus.
Though not common, airborne transmission of covid-19 has also been evident in the recent past and with the new developments of the pandemic. Airborne transmission is associated with infectious microbes released into the environment and is often embodied in the droplet nuclei that are about <5μm in diameter (“Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) – Transmission,” 2020). It is worthwhile noting that a nucleus with such a diameter stays longer in the atmosphere and can be transmitted over distances that surpass one meter. Concerning covid-19, transmission through air occurs only in specific settings (“Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) – Transmission,” 2020). For instance, in a scenario where treatments involve the release of aerosols into the atmosphere. Endotracheal intubation or nebulized treatments are often characterized by a patient’s disconnection from the ventilator machine (Fabella, 2021). The intubation process requires the random turning of the patient to various positions for the medical procedures (Nikhra, 2020). Scientific findings have also attempted to provide evidence on whether the particles can be detected in the air. Also, in a recent study in England, published in the Journal of Medicine, it is proven how staying in poorly ventilated rooms increases the chances of contracting the virus from the potentially suffering victims (“Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) – Transmission,” 2020). The physics surrounding the spread of the virus through the air has also attempted to explain the mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 gets transmitted through aerosols.
The symptomatic period of the disease goes for about two weeks, increasing the chances of the disease’s spread amongst gathering. The concerned authorities have held various campaigns and group meetings to create awareness on how individuals can protect themselves from contracting the virus (“How does coronavirus spread?,” 2020). However, most sensitization revolves around people avoiding gatherings and unnecessary group meetings, which would otherwise expose them to potential risks since they may interact with the infected (Nikhra, 2020). Coronavirus is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which has numerous ways of manipulating itself in human beings (“Transmission of COVID-19,” 2020). In gatherings, when a victim coughs and sneezes without following the set protocols and protection procedures, the released droplets may fall on surfaces or be absorbed in the atmosphere (“How does coronavirus spread?,” 2020). Eventually, other individuals may access and breathe such contaminated air, leading to complications with the virus, touching the contaminated surface with unprotected hands, and touching the nose or mouth with the infected hands (“Modes of transmission of the virus causing COVID-19: Implications for IPC precaution recommendations,” 2020). In essence, gatherings are potential grounds for spreading the virus and an active transmission medium since aerosols usually get suspended in the air and stay active for quite a more extended period and travel beyond one meter.
Coronavirus is a pandemic that has left many individuals affected in various ways based on its mysterious ways of spread and its potential effects on the victims. As established in the essay, the virus is spread faster in social gatherings, congested, and fails to observe a one-meter apart rule. The latter is because the disease is actively spread through the air, droplets, contact with contaminated surfaces in fomites, and poorly ventilated rooms. It is also evident from the essay that the virus causing the disease has numerous ways of manipulating itself to human beings, of which some have not been scientifically proven. The identified transmission media can be controlled majorly through maintaining proper hygiene of surfaces, maintaining distance, and avoiding close contact with the infected.
References
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Modes of transmission of virus causing COVID-19: Implications for IPC precaution recommendations. (2020). WHO | World Health Organization. Web.
Nikhra, V. (2020). COVID-19: Exploring the disease transmission dynamics. Annals of Immunology & Immunotherapy, 2(2). Web.
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UNICEF. (2020). WHO | World Health Organization. Web.