SINGAPORE – Researchers have developed a sophisticated simulation that more accurately models the spread of respiratory droplets when a person with COVID-19 coughs, specifically adapted to Singapore’s tropical environment.

A team from the Agency for Science, Technology and Research’s (A*Star) Institute of High Performance Computing is utilizing this simulation to collaborate with public agencies in establishing group size limits and safe management measures. Executive Director Lim Keng Hui explained to The Straits Times on Thursday (Nov 5) that while various studies have explored droplet spread, they often overlook crucial factors relevant to Singapore, particularly its climate.

Dr. Lim stated, “Singapore has a tropical climate, which is why we incorporate environmental conditions, such as humidity levels, that reflect our local context.” He emphasized that the dynamics of droplet transport in a tropical setting differ significantly from those in a temperate climate, which tends to be drier.

Fellow researcher Kang Chang Wei noted that prior studies often relied on assumptions about droplet behavior that do not hold true for Singapore’s unique environmental conditions.