Medical Staff Treating COVID-19 Patients Say "Low Possibility of Airborne Transmission"

Droplet Transmission Most Likely So Far
Cannot Travel More Than 2m
Special Situation in Narrow Spaces on Japanese Cruise
Recovery Possible Without Using HIV Antiviral Drugs

On the 11th, at the National Medical Center Research Building in Jung-gu, Seoul, Bang Ji-hwan, TF Team Leader (Director of the Central Infectious Disease Hospital Operations Center), explained the clinical treatment status amid the increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases during the Central Clinical Task Force (TF) briefing. From left to right: Jin Beom-sik, Infectious Disease Specialist at the National Medical Center; Bang Ji-hwan, TF Team Leader (Director of the Central Infectious Disease Hospital Operations Center); Kim Yeon-jae, Infectious Disease Specialist at the National Medical Center; and Park Jun-seon, Researcher at the Life Resources Center. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporters Choi Dae-yeol and Lee Jung-yoon] Medical staff responsible for treating patients viewed the possibility of airborne transmission of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia) as low. Although concerns have arisen that airborne transmission might have occurred since 135 confirmed cases were reported on a Japanese cruise ship, considering the characteristics of a confined space crowded with many people, droplet transmission (small droplets such as saliva) is currently considered the most likely mode of transmission. It was also found that some patients recovered through autoimmunity without using antiviral drugs typically used for treating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

◆ "Cases of transmission beyond 2 meters are very rare" = Bang Ji-hwan, head of the Central Clinical Task Force (TF) at the National Medical Center, said at a briefing on the 11th, "When droplets dry, they become smaller and lighter, turning into droplet nuclei, which can float in the air and cause airborne transmission. However, larger particles are heavier and rarely transmit infection beyond a distance of 2 meters."

To clearly determine whether airborne transmission occurs, factors such as the size of the particles carrying the virus, wind strength, virus density, and survival time must be comprehensively examined, so there may be some controversy. However, even if airborne transmission is possible, it is uncommon for the disease to spread to people far away, according to Bang. In the case of the Japanese cruise, although the number of confirmed cases has increased by dozens daily, this is also explained by the fact that many people are densely packed in a limited space, making transmission through direct or indirect contact or droplet transmission inevitable. Bang stated, "The diseases that are clearly recognized as airborne transmitted are limited to four: measles, tuberculosis, smallpox, and chickenpox."

◆ "Young and healthy patients recover naturally" = Recommended drugs used in treatment include Kaletra, an antiviral used for HIV treatment, as well as medications for malaria and Ebola. It is considered best to administer antiviral drugs early in the course of treatment. However, it has been confirmed that some patients recovered through autoimmunity without using antiviral drugs. Patient number 11, who was discharged from Seoul National University Hospital yesterday, is in their mid-20s and was discharged ten days after being confirmed positive on the 31st of last month. Bang said, "Young and healthy patients often recover on their own, while antiviral treatment should be more actively considered for elderly patients or those with underlying conditions."

The National Medical Center recently succeeded in isolating the virus, which is expected to accelerate testing and drug development. Park Jun-seon, a researcher at the Life Resources Center, said, "We have succeeded in isolating the virus from patient specimens, and the isolated virus is ready to be used for public purposes such as developing treatments or diagnostic tools."