Eyes could be a window to let COVID-19 virus into the body

It has been discovered that the eyes can allow the coronavirus strain responsible for COVID-19 to enter into the human body. The strain was apparently up to 100 times more infectious than the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus and bird flu (H5N1) virus in two facial orifices tested, according to researchers from the University of Hong Kong (HKU).

HKU laboratory tests led by Dr. Michael Chan Chi-wai revealed that virus abundance levels of SARS-Cov-2 was some “80 to 100 times higher” than for SARS and H5N1 in the upper respiratory airways and conjunctiva, which are the cells lining the surfaces of the eyes.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus spreads mainly from person to person either through direct or indirect contact: direct contact refers to person-to-person transmission, which requires a susceptible individual to physically touch their mouth, nose, or eyes, thus transferring the virus, whereas indirect contact modes require a susceptible host to come into contact with an object that was previously contaminated by an infected host.

The HKU study reinforces advice to the public not to touch their eyes and to wash hands regularly to avoid infection. The findings additionally challenge the widely-held assumption that medical staff would be adequately protected with N95 masks and protective clothing, without the need for specialist glasses, in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.

“Although there are signs that the COVID-19 crisis is getting more stable in Hong Kong, the situation elsewhere in the world is still serious. There are still many new cases reported every day – we should not let our guard down,” Dr. Chan said.

The first case of COVID-19 was reported in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last December. It has since infected more than 3.97 million people and claimed over 274,000 lives across the world, according to official data.

Category: Education, Features