Novel coronavirus can spread up to three times further in cold and humid weather, according to the researchers
Scientists have modelled the spread of infectious droplets from coughing, sneezing, and breathing under different atmospheric conditions, and found that the novel coronavirus can spread up to three times further in cold and humid weather.
According to the researchers, including those from the University of California (UC) Santa Barbara in the U.S., droplets carrying the virus can travel up to 20 feet, making the current social distancing norms of six feet insufficient to contain its spread.Based on previous research, they said as many as 40,000 respiratory droplets can be generated by sneezing, coughing, and even normal talking, with initial speeds ranging from a few metres per second to more than a hundred meters per second.From these past studies, the scientists said both the aerodynamics of the droplets, and their heat and mass exchange process with the environment can determine the effectiveness of virus propagation.
