Until now, it was generally accepted that the SARS-CoV-2 virus is transmitted by droplets through the air in a limited space of several meters, but recent studies have shown that the situation can be much more dangerous - the virus can fly in the air. This is stated in the summary of the scientific work of a group of researchers at the University of Bologna under the leadership of Leonardo Setti, writes medrxiv. org.

Italian scientists have collected particles of atmospheric pollution in Bergamo and identified the gene that is characteristic of SARS-CoV-2 on many samples.

In the city of Bergamo, located in the province of Lombardy, one of the highest incidence rates in Italy is recorded. In particular, over 122 thousand people were infected with coronavirus there by 122 thousand people..

“We collected samples for three weeks, from February 21 to March 13. We can confirm the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNL (ribonucleic acid), since two independent RNL analyzes found the RtDR gene highly characteristic of SARS-CoV-2 on eight filters, ”the researchers said.

Two other groups of Italian scientists also concluded that the virus can travel in air on suspended particles of atmospheric pollution..

The Guardian reports that a statistical analysis conducted by researchers in Bologna may confirm the link between air pollution in the industrial northern regions of Italy and the rapid spread of infection in the area.. All Italian car factories and other industrial enterprises are located in the north, so Lombardy is one of the most polluted areas in Europe..

Independent scientists have not yet confirmed the findings of the Setti group, but experts agreed that these results require further research, said cursorinfo. co. il.