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The new coronavirus could remain infected for weeks, according to research from Australia’s top biosecurity laboratory, which highlights the dangers of paper currency, touchscreen devices and grab handles and rails.
No scientists The Australian Australian Center for Disease Preparation showed that SARS-COV-2 is “extremely strong”, surviving for 28 days at room temperature on a smooth glass-like surface where mobile phone screens and plastic notes are found, or 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit). Which compares to a 17-day survival for the flu virus.
A cashier counts notes wearing gloves and a scarf at a picnic fish market in Dakar, Senegal, in March 2020.
Photographer: Cello / AFP by Getty Images
According to a study published on Monday, the survival of the virus on some surfaces has been less than a day at a temperature of 40 degrees Celsius. Journal of Virology. These findings add to the evidence that Covid-19-producing coronaviruses survive longer. Cold weather makes winter potentially more difficult to control than summer. The researchers said the research also helps to more accurately predict and reduce the spread of epidemics.
Debbie Eagles, deputy director of the center, said in an emailed statement, “Our results show that SARS-Cavi-2 can remain infectious on surfaces for a long time, reinforcing the need for good practices such as regular hand washing and surface cleaning.” ” .
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Coronaviruses tend to last longer on ineffective or smooth surfaces compared to porous complex surfaces such as cotton.
The research was funded by the Australian Department of Defense. This includes drying the coronavirus in artificial saliva on different surfaces, the same concentrations as reported in samples from infected patients, and then re-isolating the virus within a month. To counteract the effects of ultraviolet light, this study was conducted even in the dark, as research has shown that direct sunlight can quickly neutralize the virus.
The time taken to obtain a 50% reduction in the amount of virus on surfaces studied under different temperatures is as follows:
| 20 સે C | 30 સે C | 40 સે C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stainless steel | 5.96 days | 1.74 days | 4.86 hours |
| Polymer note | 6.85 days | 2.04 days | 4.78 hours |
| Paper note | 9.13 days | 4.32 days | 5.39 hours |
| Glass | 6.32 days | 1.45 days | 6.55 hours |
| Cotton | 5.57 days | 1.65 days | Nothing charged |
| Vinyl | 6.34 days | 1.4 days | 9.9 hours |
“While the exact role of surface transport, the degree of surface contact and the amount of virus required for infection remains to be determined, it is important to develop a risk reduction strategy in high-contact areas to determine how long the virus can survive on the surface,” Eagle said.
Transmission risk
Touchscreen devices such as mobile phones, bank ATMs, supermarket self-service checkouts, and airport check-in kiosks are high-touch surfaces that are not cleaned regularly, and hence the transmission of SARS. There is a risk. -Kovi-2, the researchers said in the paper.
They found the survival of SARS-Cavi-2 to be longer than seasonal flu on note-binding, “taking into account the special importance, frequency of circulation and the possibility of practical virus transmission between both individuals and geographical locations.”
Before the SARS-Cavi-2 epidemic broke out, China began renewing its paper currency, at a time when researchers were concerned about transmission by paper notes. And South Korea has also quarantined banknotes as a result. There is an epidemic.
Passengers wearing protective masks and gloves use smartphones at Hong Kong International Airport in January 2020.
Photographer: Evan Abrey / Bloomberg
The existence of coronavirus on stainless steel at cold temperatures can help explain and explain the Covid-19 outbreak associated with meat processing. Cold storage facilities, the authors said. Their data support the findings of the ongoing study of SARS-CO-2 Fresh and frozen food, they said.
“Research can also help explain the clear essence and prevalence of SARS-Cavi-2 in cold climates such as high lipid or protein contamination, such as meat processing facilities and how we can better handle that risk.” The Australian Australian Center for Disease Prevention said in a statement.
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