People who are above 6-feet in height have more chances of being COVID-19 positive?

• Over 2,000 people were surveyed and the results showed that it may be because of aerosol transmission.
• However, a local expert is not entirely convinced of the research and said that more medical evidence are needed for the claim. 

Studies regarding how one’s height affects his or her chances of being COVID-19 positive have been popping up left and right.

A new study from the University of Manchester got the response of around 2,000 people from the United Kingdom and the United States.

According to the results, people whose height passes 6ft have more chances of getting infected by the virus.

The researchers stated that it may be due to the fact that aerosol transmission is possible.

“Taking both samples together, being tall more than doubled the probability of having a COVID-19 medical diagnosis or positive test for people over 6 feet,” they said.

“The data in both countries, argue the researchers, could suggest that aerosol transmission is very likely, with taller individuals at higher risk – something that would not be expected if the transmission was exclusively through droplets.”

According to infectious disease specialist Dr. Rontagene Solante, they thought about the idea for a while as it was a joke between her and her colleagues.

“It was intentionally a joke. And every day I made rounds ‘oh these are the fortunate doctors, less risk because of the height.'”

This is why she was surprised when the research stated that the mere banter is, in fact, supported by studies.

“We have already established that COVID-19, the possibility of transmission is also airborne aside from droplet. Nandun sya sa ere na medyo matagal… I would seem to agree baka may correlation din yung height because if you are taller than 6 feet and above the air will be exposed to that longer.”

On the other hand, Dr. Benjamin Co who is the head of the pediatrics infectious diseases section of the UST Hospital was not convinced with the results of the study as it was only based on a survey.

“Take with a grain of salt. Sa akin it’s interesting… There should have been more science put into it before we believe in anything. We need to wait for more evidence later on.”

But the factor that they agree on is there’s a big possibility of airborne infections when it comes to enclosed spaces.