A new study has found that SARS-CoV-2 is evolving toward more efficient aerosol generation, and loose-fitting masks provide significant but only modest source control.

Researchers urged that until vaccination rates are very high, continued layered controls, including improved ventilation, increased filtration, UV air sanitation, and tight-fitting masks are critical to protecting people in public-facing jobs and indoor spaces.

According to a study from the University of Maryland School of Public Health, it has warned that the deadly virus is evolving towards a more efficient aerosol generation.

Improved ventilation, increased filtration and tight-fitting masks have been described as critical to protecting people going forward, reports Express.co.uk.

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The report further said that loose-fitting cloth and surgical masks reduced the amount of virus that gets into the air around infected people by about half.

“Our latest study provides further evidence of the importance of airborne transmission,” said Doctor Don Milton, professor of environmental health at the University of Maryland School of Public Health.

Meanwhile, one of the lead authors, doctoral student Jianyu Lai said, “We already knew that viruses in saliva and nasal swabs were increased in Alpha variant infections. Viruses from the nose and mouth might be transmitted by sprays of large droplets up close to an infected person. But, our study shows that the virus in exhaled aerosols is increasing even more.”

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These major increases in airborne virus from Alpha infections occurred before the Delta variant arrived, but indicates the virus is evolving to be better at travelling through the air.

“Our latest study provides further evidence of the importance of airborne transmission,” said Doctor Don Milton, professor of environmental health at the University of Maryland School of Public Health.

According to an article from The Express.co.uk, the amount of virus in the air coming from Alpha variant infections was at least 18 times more than could be explained by the increased amounts of virus in nasal swabs and saliva.

In a bit to test whether face masks work in blocking the deadly virus from being transmitted among people, the study measured how much SARS-CoV-2 is breathed into the air and tested how lower was the viral load that let to sickness with COVID-19 exhaled into the air after putting on a cloth or surgical mask.

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However, covering the face significantly reduced virus-laden particles in the air around the person with COVID-19, cutting the amount by around 50 percent.

But the surgical masks and loose-fitting cloth did not stop the infectious virus from getting into the air.

Here is how to guard yourself against the deadly virus:

a. Improve the ventilation 

b. Increase the filtration

c. UV air sanitation

d. Wear tight-fitting masks

e. Be fully vaccinated