COVID-19 virus could travel up to 4 meters around of a patient.
This is according to a study carried out in Wuhan, China.
We already knew that COVID-19 could contaminate surfaces and the air near patients.
The fault in particular of the sputters and the droplets produced when you cough or sneeze.
But, according to this study, it could also be that the virus also moves up to 4 meters around the sick. Not very reassuring...
So how do you protect yourself effectively? Here are 6 tips to protect yourself from the virus and protect others:
1. Go out as little as possible to avoid the risk of contamination.
2. Wear a mask when you go out to shop or get bread. If you don't have one, here is the tutorial to make one in 1 min.
3. Respect the 5 barrier gestures. In particular, leave a safety distance of 2 meters between you and other people when you go out.
4. Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly using this technique.
5. Take off your shoes as soon as you get home, as explained here.
6. Regularly clean your interior, especially door handles and these 6 things at home.
This study was carried out in a hospital in Wuhan, China, in the intensive care unit last March.
The researchers took samples from floors, door handles, patient beds, computer mice, garbage cans, patients' masks, protective equipment for caregivers, vents and in the air. rooms.
As a result, the most contaminated areas were of course those close to the patients in intensive care.
The most contaminated objects were computer mice, garbage cans, beds and door handles.
More surprisingly, traces of the virus were found on half of the caregivers' soles and in the air, most often near the patient's bed.
As incredible as it may seem, traces of the virus were even found once 4 meters from the patient.
It is for this reason that the researchers indicated that "the maximum transmission distance of Covid-19 could be 4 meters".
However, researchers still do not know if these traces of virus are in sufficient quantity to infect a person.
Indeed, the test used for this study can detect the presence of the virus, but not its viable quantity.
In other words, even if the virus can fly in the air, that does not mean that it can infect someone. To be continued...