How long is the Coronavirus Stable on Surfaces
Mar 27, 2020
A News Alert from The Rx Consultant
March 2020
New Coronavirus Stable for Days on Surfaces
Information about the stability of the new coronavirus, which has been re-named “severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2” (SARS-CoV-2), was published on March 17th in The New England Journal of Medicine. Scientists from The National Institutes of Health, CDC, UCLA, and Princeton University scientists studied the virus’ stability and found the following:
•The new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2 ) remained viable up to 3 days after application to plastic and stainless-steel surfaces.
• RS-CoV-2 remained viable in aerosols (similar to those produced by a cough or sneeze) for at least 3 hours.
•On copper surfaces, no viable SARS-CoV-2 was measured after 4 hours.
•On cardboard surfaces, no viable SARS-CoV-2 was measured after 24 hours.The scientists stated, “Our results indicate that aerosol and fomite* transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is plausible, since the virus can remain viable and infectious in aerosols for hours and on surfaces up to days (depending on the inoculum shed).” A news release from the NIH followed, noting that the study results support recommendations to use precautions similar to those used 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.
* fomite: an object (such as a doorknob) that may be contaminated with infectious organisms and serve in their transmission.
