THERE is still no proof that the Covid-19 virus can spread through the air, the Institute for Medical Research’s (IMR) virology department chief Dr Ravindran Thayan said.

Scientists can only confirm that the virus spreads through saliva or droplets from a sneeze or cough, he told a media briefing on IMR’s work on virus testing today.

“For now, we know it is spread through droplets (saliva) when you sneeze or cough. No studies have shown that it can be spread  airborne,” he said at the briefing in Kuala Lumpur. 

Fears over virus infections since the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December, have seen stocks of masks disappear from pharmacy shelves. Manufacturers have been told to increase production to meet demand.

The virus has so far killed more than 2,600 people in China and 34 in other countries. Globally, more than 80,000 people have been infected, according to the latest World Health Organisation (WHO) update.

Malaysia has been commended by the international health community for its proactiveness in screening for Covid-19 at its entry points.

Dr Ravindran said samples taken from those suspected of infections are sent to the IMR lab in Jalan Pahang, Kuala Lumpur.

It takes about six hours for researchers to determine the results.

“All samples are sent here for testing. We will take six hours maximum, to know whether a person has been infected or not. We have two shifts, one in the morning and night.

“Our standards are based on the standards set by the WHO and we are capable to running tests for other novel viruses too. Not just the Covid-19,” he said.

IMR director Dr Tahir Aris said scientists were still looking for concrete evidence that the coronavirus can be transmitted from bats to humans.

The assumption that the Covid-19 outbreak began after people ate bat soup was circulated widely on social media in the early days of the outbreak.

Dr Tahir said studies have confirmed that bats carry the virus, but it is still not known how it is transferred to humans.

“Some theories said it was through eating, but we do not know that for sure. Because the virus can be killed by hot temperatures. If the bats are cooked at high heat, the virus is surely gone,” Dr Tahir said.

In Malaysia, the number of Covid-19 cases remains at 22, of whom 20 have been discharged after making a full recovery.

Early this morning, 66 Malaysians, including non-citizen spouses and children, arrived on an evacuation flight from Wuhan at 6.50am in KLIA.

All passengers were screened in Wuhan before being allowed to board, while six others did not board the flight because of health issues.

This is the second humanitarian flight out of Wuhan with the first on February 4. On the first mission, 107 Malaysians, as well as non-citizen spouses and children, were brought back. – February 26, 2020.