Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 11) — The Department of Health agrees with the World Health Organization findings that the novel coronavirus can be transmitted through the air in hospitals and other closed settings.
“Even our experts are saying, it can be airborne in specific settings,” Health Spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire said in an online media briefing on Saturday.
As early as March, the DOH has said the coronavirus may be airborne but only in “a confined hospital setting,” citing preliminary research that the virus could survive in the air as aerosols or fine particles.
“Kapag sa hospital kaya nga po naka-complete PPE ang ating mga health workers pagka diyan (That’s why our health workers are wearing complete PPE in hospitals) because there are aerosol producing equipment [in these areas],” Vergeire said.
She added that airborne transmission can also happen in other “closed settings,” that’s why the government is recommending outdoor dining.
“Kaya nga tayo ay nagkakaroon ng rekomendasyon na sana kung magkakaroon ng pagbubukas ng ibang sektor katulad ng mga restaurants, it should be in open air para po hindi tayo nagkakaroon ng mga ganitong instances,” Vergeire said.
[Translation: That’s why we had a recommendation that if sectors like restaurants would reopen; it should be in open air so we will not have these instances.]
The WHO this week released a new scientific report saying airborne coronavirus transmission can occur during medical procedures that generate aerosols.
It also noted that outside of medical facilities, outbreaks have been reported in indoor crowded spaces, suggesting that this may be caused by a combination of aerosol and droplet transmission. It cited transmissions during choir practices, fitness classes, and in restaurants.
In the Philippines, the DOH is monitoring transmission in 379 community clusters and 46 health facilities. The total number of COVID-19 cases nationwide has reached 52,914, with 1,360 deaths and 13,230 recoveries.
Health authorities are urging the public to wear face masks, practice regular had washing, and practice physical distancing to prevent further spread of the virus.
