Here is how Covid-19 spreads; UK variant may be behind spike

Chandigarh, March 24

The new UK variant, B.1.1.7, that was found in nearly 80 per cent of the samples in Punjab has been the cause behind the faster spread of Covid-19 in the region. This increases the possibility of an increased surge in the city due to the same variant.

Chandigarh Tribune spoke to PGI Director Prof Jagat Ram regarding how the virus transmits from one person to another.

“People who are in proximity (within 6 ft) with a Covid-infected person or have a direct contact with that person are at a great risk of the infection. When Covid patients cough, sneeze, sing, talk or breathe, they produce respiratory droplets (larger droplets to smaller droplets). The smaller ones dry very quickly in the airstream. The respiratory droplets cause infection when they are inhaled or deposited on mucous membranes of another person in proximity with the infected person,” said Prof Jagat Ram.

The concentration of these droplets decreases as the respiratory droplets travel further from the infected person. While the larger droplets fall on the ground quickly due to gravity, smaller ones spread apart in the air. Some infections can be spread by exposure to the virus in small droplets by particles that can stay in the air for minutes to hours. —Prof Jagat Ram, PGI director

“The concentration of these droplets decreases as the respiratory droplets travel further from the person with Covid-19. While the larger droplets fall on the ground quickly due to gravity, smaller ones spread apart in the air. Some infections can be spread by exposure to the virus in small droplets by particles that can linger on in the air for minutes to hours,” he said.

“These viruses also infect people who are more than 6 feet away, due to the airborne transmission. People with Covid seem to have infected others who were more than 6 feet away as the transmissions occurred within enclosed spaces that had inadequate ventilation.”

Covid also spreads through contact with contaminated surfaces as the respiratory droplets can also land on surfaces and objects. “It is possible that a person could get the infection by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes. That’s why there is more emphasis on frequent washing of hands,” he said. — TNS