Fresh air curbs virus transfer in buildings, say experts

Increasing natural ventilation and the regular maintenance of air conditioning units are some of the basic methods by which the spread of the new coronavirus in public buildings, offices and homes can be reduced, according to experts.

There are several ways in which Covid-19 can be spread through ventilation and air conditioning systems, according to five Athens University academics, including Vassiliki Benetou and Dimitrios Paraskevis of the Medical School, who synopsized the most recent available relevant data.

Infected droplets can be transferred on the air flowing out of AC units and can travel through the air ducts of ventilation systems, the experts said, emphasizing the risk of infected air being recirculated by such systems.

The risk is deemed to be greater in public buildings as they are more densely populated and generally more reliant on air...