Bhubaneswar, July 6 -- Sydney: It is time to recognise and mitigate airborne transmission of COVID-19, says a plea to the World Health Organization (WHO) issued by 239 scientists from around the world.

The scientists suggest that while measures like washing hands and maintaining social distance are important, they may not be enough to arrest the rapid spread of the disease.

The measures that need to be taken to mitigate airborne transmission include providing sufficient and effective ventilation - supply clean outdoor air, minimise recirculating air - particularly in public buildings, workplace environments, schools, hospitals, and aged care homes, they said.

Supplementing general ventilation with airborne infection controls such as lo...