Covid-19 is now airborne - Prof. Neelika Malavige

• Health authorities ask for proper mask wearing 
• Masks should be worn indoors

By Kelum Bandara

Prof. Neelika Malavige, Head of Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology of University of Sri Jayewardenepura Medical Faculty, in a special press conference, said there is airborne transmission of Covid-19, and therefore mask wearing was all the more important to contain the spread of the disease.   

She said this at the press conference conducted at the Information Department with the other key officials involved in responding to the newly emerging threat of Covid-19 in the country.   

She said the disease could spread from the exhaled particles or droplets of infected persons.  
“If I am an infected person, I will exhale viral particles here. Then, another person can come here and inhale them even after I leave this place. Therefore, it is all the more important to wear a mask even when you remain indoors,” she said.  

• People are requested to refrain from organising new year related events hereafter
• The disease could spread from the exhaled particles or droplets of infected persons 

She said, “We have noticed some people wear masks outdoors. Mask wearing has to be done in the proper manner. It should specially be done indoors.”  Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardane, at the same press conference, requested people to cooperate with the health authorities in the containment of the disease by avoiding crowd-gathering events.  

He asked people to refrain from organising new year related events hereafter.   

Dr. Gunawardane said the percentage of symptomatic patients and the prevalence of them among youths had increased.  

“There is an increased need for ICU admissions and Oxygen support. In India, we notice how people die of lack of Oxygen. Therefore, it is important to control the spread,” he said.