The viruses that cause COVID-19 may last longer than previously thought – a contagious infection remains on surfaces such as banknotes, glass, phone screens and stainless steel, according to a new study.
By comparison, the flu virus has been shown to survive on the surface for up to 17 days.
Researchers from Australia’s science agency CSIRO conducted experiments at 68 degrees on the SARS-COV-2 virus in the dark to remove the effects of room temperature – and ultraviolet light, as studies have shown that the sun can shine.
“So real-world results will probably be shorter than we were able to show,” Shero Riedel, lead researcher for the study, published Monday in the journal Virology, told the news agency.
Ridley said of the research, “Strengthening the importance of hand washing and sanitizing where possible and precisely cleaning surfaces exposed to the virus.”
In the study, the virus was dried in artificial saliva on different surfaces at equal concentrations of coronavirus patient samples and then the bug was corrected within a month.
Experiments at 68, 86 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit showed that the virus survived colder temperatures longer, on smooth surfaces and longer on paper bank notes than on plastic.
The study also found that the virus stops infecting what happens at 104 degrees on some surfaces within 24 hours.
While the proteins and fats present in body fluids can also significantly increase the survival time of the virus, the study could help explain the apparent urgency of the virus in cold climates, the researchers said.
Some experts have questioned the real danger posed by surface transport because most coronaviruses are spread when people cough, sneeze or talk.
However, there is also evidence that it is spread by particles hanging in the air.
Previous lab tests have found that the virus can live for two to three days on banknotes and glass and up to six days on plastic and stainless steel, although results vary.
Professor Ron Eckhalls, former director of the Common Cold Center at Cardiff University, criticized the Australian-Australian study, saying the suggestion that the virus could live up to 28 days was creating “unnecessary fear in people”.
He told the BBC: “Coughs and sneezes and dirty fingers spread the virus from the saliva to the surface and this study does not use fresh human saliva as a vehicle to spread the virus.”
“Fresh mucus is a hostile environment for the virus because it contains many white cells that produce enzymes to destroy the virus and may also contain antibodies and other chemicals to inactivate the virus,” the teachings said.
“In my opinion the infectious virus will only stay in the saliva on the surface for hours rather than days.”
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