KGMU to study if coronavirus becomes airborne or not

KGMU to study if coronavirus becomes airborne or not

10/07/2020

Gaurav Saigal

Gaurav.saigal@htlive.com

LUCKNOW : The King George’s Medical University (KGMU) has decided to conduct a study to find out whether coronavirus becomes airborne or not.

The study, first in the region, will be done by the department of pulmonary critical care medicine (PCCM). “We are in the final stages of deciding the test protocol. For now, the basic methodology has been worked upon,” said Dr Ved Prakash, HoD, PCCM department. Describing the methodology, Prakash said the idea is to analyse the breath of admitted Covid-19 patients and this shall be done by a ‘balloon method.’ The balloons are specially made for the purpose and such sampling could start next week, he said.

According to the test methodology, a patient has to release a certain volume of inhaled breath in the balloon, which will then be taken to the laboratory for the test. “A lot of news is coming from across the globe pertaining to the suspense over whether the virus can get airborne or not. The idea is to find out whether the virus stays in the air outside the patient’s body, and if so, then for how long it stays in the air. Samples will be taken from patients in the initial days of infection (within 5-days of testing positive), when it is said an infected person can spread infection to others,” said Prakash.

He said once this test proves the virus’ life in the air, further advanced tests will be done on its transmission to human body via air route. “If the virus is in one’s breath and then survives in the air inside the balloon, then it means it can spread,” he said.

“Recently scientists have claimed that Covid-19 virus is airborne, too, apart from its capacity to spread via droplets. We are studying the same claim about it being airborne,” he said.

“For the tests, labs in KGMU and Meerut Medical College will coordinate,” said Prakash, who is also the nodal officer for the Meerut Medical College.

KGMU is one of the biggest Covid-19 hospitals in the state and has treated and discharged over 200 patients till now. The campus has a capacity to admit over 200 patients and the bed strength is being increased by another 200.