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The SARS-CoV-2 virus does not reach packaged food, but it can remain on the surface of its packaging. This was handled by researchers at the Bucharest Faculty of Physics after collecting samples from patients admitted to the “Matei Balş” Institute of Infectious Diseases and positively confirming infection with the new type of virus. For example, in the case of bread packaged in a bag, even if the virus does not enter the package, it can remain on the surface touched by a contaminated person for several hours.
“Fortunately, it was discovered that the virus can NOT get through the package, but it can be on the surface of the package and remain on the surface of the package. Be very careful when buying somewhere on the street, fast food, the tone of a store If a sick person touched them and had nasal or mouth secretions on their hand, of course the virus may be in this package and we must be very careful “, draws the attention of Cristi Mărgărit, nutritionist.
“We should dispose of this packaging in a hygienic way. The coronavirus makes us more careful, but digestive infections have existed until now. We must not only protect ourselves from this airborne transmission, but also take care of transmission through objects,” says the nutritionist.
How long does the coronavirus last on the outer surface of the surgical mask?
Researchers at the Faculty of Physics at the University of Bucharest wanted to know how much the new type of virus can withstand on different surfaces.
One of the findings of this study says that if a person infected with SARS-CoV-2 puts their hands on a slice of bread, the virus could remain on this surface at least 180 minutes.
“We inoculate a slice of bread with a solution that has a certain virus content. We also inoculate on a polypropylene sheet, the packaging of the respective bread. After that, we take samples of each one and take them to the atomic force microscope to see what happens to it, ”explains researcher Ioan Stamatin, professor of physics.
The main criterion that researchers take into account is porosity of the material.
“It can be placed on top of water, but being a hydrophobic surface it does not stay on the surface for too long. When you shake the polypropylene, you get the imprint of everything you have on hand and it looks like this (you can see it in your laptop, watch the video), therefore, any kind of disorder can be placed in these valleys. Including the new kind of virus, “explained Ioan Stamatin.
Experts say that the danger of infection lurks everywhere. In toilet paper, the virus can last up to three hours if an infected person touches the object.
“If a man sneezes and is sick and is near us and drops of saliva come to him, it can persist for a few days. In the glass: If you drank and left your hands in the glass, this virus can persist up to 4 days. Strangely, on the surgical mask, but on the outside, it can last for 7 days, but that does not mean it has gone through the mask!“Says Professor Stamatin.
Editor: Luana Pavaluca
