Worrying Animation Shows How a Single Cough Can Spread Through a Shop Aisle

A worrying new animation reveals how coronavirus particles from a single cough can spread and ‘hang in the air.’ 

Early findings of a new Finnish study suggest aerosol particles carrying Covid-19 stay in the air longer than was originally thought.

The new study claims that coronavirus particles are able to hang in the air for several minutes, leaving others vulnerable to infection.

Researchers say this makes it even more important to follow social distancing rules and avoid busy public spaces.

The animation showcases the droplets from a single cough and how they could be dispersed in the aisle of a shop.

Assisted by ventilation, the cloud travels up into the air and down the aisle, taking several minutes to disperse.

Aalto University Assistant Professor Ville Vuorinen said somebody can cough and move away, but the tiny aerosol particles linger “and end up in the respiratory tract of others in the vicinity”.