How long does the coronavirus live on different surfaces

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), The main way to spread the new coronavirus (COVID-19) is through contact with another person who is infected with the virus.. Being a respiratory disease, it spreads through the droplets that are thrown into the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or exhales.

Likewise, infected particles from the nose or mouth of the person carrying the coronavirus can fall on objects and surfaces around them. If other people touch these objects and surfaces and then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth, they can get COVID-19.

Research into the forms of spread is ongoing, but the WHO also says it can be spread by inhaling the droplets that a person carrying the virus coughs or exhales. Therefore, the importance of staying more than 1 meter away from a person who is sick is stressed.

DURATION OF THE VIRUSES ON THE SURFACES AND OBJECTS

The WHO maintains that it is not yet known for how long COVID-19 survives on surfaces and objects, but that it appears to behave like other types of coronaviruses. Therefore, it is believed that It can survive from a few hours to several days, according to different factors such as the type of surface or object, the temperature and humidity of the environment.

According to a new study published last March 10 in the medical journal The New England Journal of Medicine, The virus that causes the current pandemic can live on plastic and stainless steel surfaces for up to 72 hours, in cardboard for up to 24 hours, and in copper for 4 hours..

Because COVID-19 appears to act like other types of coronaviruses, researchers have reviewed 22 previous studies on the persistence of other variants of the coronavirus family on inanimate surfaces.

On average, viruses survived on surfaces such as metal, glass, or plastic for four to five days at room temperature, and can last up to nine days. The study was published in the Journal of Hospital Infection and argues that the virus "can be efficiently removed by surface disinfection procedures".

The WHO denied reports linking COVID-19 with cash and also reported that the risk of contracting the virus from being in contact with a package sent from an infected area is very low. As for fabrics, it is unclear how long viruses can persist, so it is recommended to change your clothes when you get home if you have been with large groups of people, as an added precaution.

Prevention measures are essential in these times and involve keeping household surfaces clean and disinfected as well as electronic devices.

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Sources:

WHO

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