‘Virus Can Spread 13 Feet From Sufferers'

Scientists examine surface and air samples from both an ICU and general Covid-19 ward

Coronavirus sufferers can spread the infection 13 feet, twice the government's social distancing rules, a study has found.

Chinese scientists examined surface and air samples from both an intensive care unit and general Covid-19 ward at Huoshenshan Hospital in Wuhan, the city where the disease spawned before spilling across the map to become a global pandemic.

Both wards housed a total of 24 patients between February 19 and March 2, when China was still in the grip of the deadly virus.

The team observed so-called aerosol transmission - when the droplets of the virus are so fine they become suspended and remain airborne for several hours.