Prof Malavige calls for banning of large indoor gatherings till optimum vaccinations

By Rathindra Kuruwita 

Large indoor gatherings should be banned right now until a large proportion of the adult population was fully vaccinated, Professor, Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Neelika Malavige says.

A person could be considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the second dose, she added.

“Research has shown that fine aerosols produced, when people talk or sing, contain more coronavirus copies than coarse aerosols and may play a significant role in the virus transmission,” Prof. Malavige said. Research by Singaporean and US researchers, published in a paper titled Viral Load of SARS-CoV-2 in Respiratory Aerosols Emitted by COVID-19 Patients while Breathing, Talking, and Singing, shows that virus emissions from talking and singing play a crucial role in virus transmission

The researchers have said: “A significant proportion of SARSCoV-2 transmission is estimated to be from asymptomatic individuals, and multiple SARS-CoV-2 superspreading events suggest that aerosols may be critical in driving the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, refined public health measures are likely needed to contain the virus, especially in under-vaccinated populations.

The authors have also said it is of paramount importance to reduce exposure to fine respiratory aerosols through non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), such as universal masking, physical distancing, and increased room ventilation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, portable high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) cleaners in indoor environments can reduce exposure to exhaled respiratory aerosols by up to 90% in combination with universal masking, and up to 65% without universal masking.