New
coronavirus stable for hours on surfaces
NIH/National Institute of Allergy
and Infectious Diseases
 |
| Graphic from The Economist |
The scientists found that severe
acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was detectable in
aerosols for up to three hours, up to four hours on copper, up to 24 hours on
cardboard and up to two to three days on plastic and stainless steel.
The results provide key information
about the stability of SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 disease, and suggests
that people may acquire the virus through the air and after touching
contaminated objects.
The study information was widely
shared during the past two weeks after the researchers placed the contents on a
preprint server to quickly share their data with colleagues.
The NIH scientists, from the
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases' Montana facility at
Rocky Mountain Laboratories, compared how the environment affects SARS-CoV-2
and SARS-CoV-1, which causes SARS.
SARS-CoV-1, like its successor now
circulating across the globe, emerged from China and infected more than 8,000
people in 2002 and 2003.
SARS-CoV-1 was eradicated by
intensive contact tracing and case isolation measures and no cases have been
detected since 2004. SARS-CoV-1 is the human coronavirus most closely related
to SARS-CoV-2.
In the stability study the two
viruses behaved similarly, which unfortunately fails to explain why COVID-19
has become a much larger outbreak.
The NIH study attempted to mimic virus being deposited from an infected person onto everyday surfaces in a household or hospital setting, such as through coughing or touching objects. The scientists then investigated how long the virus remained infectious on these surfaces.
The scientists highlighted
additional observations from their study:
If the viability of the two
coronaviruses is similar, why is SARS-CoV-2 resulting in more cases?
Emerging
evidence suggests that people infected with SARS-CoV-2 might be spreading virus
without recognizing, or prior to recognizing, symptoms. This would make disease
control measures that were effective against SARS-CoV-1 less effective against
its successor.
In contrast to SARS-CoV-1, most
secondary cases of virus transmission of SARS-CoV-2 appear to be occurring in
community settings rather than healthcare settings.
However, healthcare
settings are also vulnerable to the introduction and spread of SARS-CoV-2, and
the stability of SARS-CoV-2 in aerosols and on surfaces likely contributes to
transmission of the virus in healthcare settings.
The findings affirm the guidance
from public health professionals to use precautions similar to those for
influenza and other respiratory viruses to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
