The coronavirus can survive on surfaces such as banknotes, mobile screens, and stainless steel for 28 days, which is longer than previously thought, new research shows.
However, the study from the Australian public research institute CSIRO was conducted under controlled conditions in the laboratory, with stable humidity, a temperature of 20 degrees, and in the dark, the BBC reports.
In comparison, the common flu virus can survive for 17 days under the same controlled conditions.
The virus survives longer on smooth, non-porous surfaces than on porous materials such as clothing, where it can’t survive longer than 14 days.
The study also shows that the lifespan of the virus is shorter when the temperature rises.
Affected by high temperatures
According to the study published in the Virology Journal, the virus is no longer contagious after 24 hours at a temperature of 40 degrees on certain surfaces.
The virus’ ability to stay alive on stainless steel in cool temperatures can explain outbreaks in slaughterhouses and cold stores, the authors believe.
The researchers also believe that the findings support previous research that suggests that the virus can survive on fresh and frozen food.
The World Health Organization (WHO), for its part, has not confirmed cases of transmission via food or food packaging.
© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today
It has been thought that absorbent material like paper and cotton can kill the virus after 3 days, drying it out. This made re-use of the paper disposable masks possible after more than 3 days – or a week cycle, to be safer.
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The surfaces it can live on up to 28 days described in the article aren’t absorbent, but maybe paper and cotton surfaces will have to be re-examined/re-tested now too.