Brisk walking in narrow corridors ups Covid risk

December 16, 2020 10:56

Walking fast in narrow spaces behind a group of people can significantly increase COVID-19 transmission risk, especially in children, according to a study which says virus-laden respiratory droplets can trail behind infected individuals moving through such corridors.

The results of the computer simulation, published in the journal Physics of Fluids, underscored the importance of the shape of spaces in predicting how virus-laden droplets move through the air.

While earlier studies highlighted the influence of objects, like glass barriers, windows, and air conditioners on airflow patterns and virus spread, the scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing said these simulations usually assumed large, open indoor spaces. However, the effect of nearby walls, like those that might exist in a narrow corridor have not been considered, the researchers added.

According to the current study, if a person walking in a corridor coughs, their breath expels droplets that travel around and behind their body, forming a wake in the same way a boat forms a wake in water as it travels. The research revealed the existence of a "re-circulation bubble" directly behind the person's torso and a long wake streaming out behind them at approximately waist height. -- PTI

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Sharjah Masters Chess: Chithamabaram stays in joint lead

Aravindh Chithamabaram took his tally to 3.5 points out of a possible four.

Singham Again Shooting Begins In Kashmir

On Saturday, May 18, 2024, Bollywood stars Ajay Devgn and Jackie Shroff began shooting for Rohit Shetty's Singham Again in Srinagar.

Rahul displaying Chinese Constitution at rallies: Himanta

Several social media users said that the red-bound Constitution is a coat pocket edition, which has been presented to top Indian leaders, including the President and the Union Home minister.

From HUL to Britannia, FMCG companies continue to lag India Inc peers

Big, listed FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) companies such as Hindustan Unilever, ITC, Nestl, and Britannia have been top-performing stocks on the bourses in recent weeks. The Nifty FMCG index, which tracks the share prices of the...

'Tell Modi We Waited'

The MNS chief started his speech with the name of Nehru, then paused. After a few tense seconds, he resumed: "After Nehru, here is the only politician who will be PM for the third term."