Fresh air helps guard against coronavirus

Scientists say risk of catching Covid-19 is higher in confined spaces - so it's time to make the most of the outdoors - respecting social distancing of course!

SCIENTISTS say the risk of catching Covid-19 in the fresh air is much lower than in confined spaces because transmission rates are much lower outdoors.

Epidemiologists warn a new outbreak of coronavirus could occur when the seasons change and people head inside - and poorly ventilated areas make ideal ‘breeding ground’ for colds, seasonal flu...and the novel virus that triggered the pandemic.

Based on available research, the experts underline infection rates fall in summer; just as the risk of catching the common cold tumbles.

And they believe this is not because of the speculation over the impact of higher temperatures affecting transmissions but because fresh air plays an important role in slowing infections.

Epidemiologist Antoni Trilla, a member of the scientific team advising the Spanish government, believes the old saying of opening windows to allow fresh air into a room was the best way of fighting infection because it broke up concentrations of suspended particles.

“If we maintain our distance in the fresh air, the possibility of contagion is very, very low,” he said.

The Spanish scientists have examined data from the United Kingdom’s Centre for Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases. From 188 outbreaks investigated by the CMMID only seven or 3.7% - were infections occurring from solely outdoor activity.

The figures relate to 150 ‘outdoor cases’ in comparison to more than 9,000 people infected with coronavirus indoors.

Mr Trilla said the public should take advantage of the fact Spain was a country with a possibility of a lot of outdoor life, but as winter approached people would spend more time inside.

“The dry cold probably doesn’t help, but the main risk is that we will be in closed spaces with little ventilation, where the possibility of contagion is much higher.”

The scientists said it was a question of odds; and while the risk of an outbreak of Covid-19 outdoors was much lower, it was “not non-existent” and people should remain on their guard and while the number of infections was faller, the health emergency was hot over.