Medical staff visit a coronavirus-infected patient in Vinh Phuc Province. The Health Ministry has refuted rumors that the Wuhan coronavirus can spread through fine dust particles

At a press briefing in China’s Shanghai City on February 8, medical experts stated that the coronavirus can spread through aerosols, which are used to treat diseases. Later, it was rumored that fine dust particles could spread the coronavirus, the Government news website reported.

Deputy Minister Son said the ministry had warned medical staff of the risk of spreading the coronavirus when using aerosols.

This method has mainly been used for patients with respiratory diseases. During treatment, droplets of medicine being transmitted to the patients could escape into the air, posing a high risk of respiratory disease infection.

Son confirmed that the novel coronavirus could not spread through the air.

People can be infected with the virus through respiratory droplets that coronavirus patients expel when they breathe, cough or sneeze. This can happen if people are in contact with the patients within a distance of two meters. Therefore, people should remain at a distance of more than two meters from the infected.

Amid the development of the epidemic, aerosols must be used cautiously to prevent the spread of respiratory diseases.

In related news, localities without coronavirus outbreaks can allow students to return to school if their schools have been sterilized, the Ministry of Health noted in a statement sent to the Ministry of Education and Training.

Schools should instruct students, teachers and parents on ways to prevent infection.

As for localities suffering coronavirus outbreaks, students will return to school after the coronavirus patients have been isolated for 14 days and the localities report no new cases.

The Ministry of Health has also asked the Ministry of Education and Training to include information on the novel coronavirus in the schools’ curriculum.

Most localities nationwide have allowed their students to stay out of school until February 16. The Ministry of Education and Training has also directed the departments of education and training in various localities to ensure complete safety for students and teachers when they return to school. SGT

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