A new study from the National Institutes of Health, CDC, UCLA and Princeton University has found that the virus which causes COVID-19, or coronavirus, is stable for several hours on a variety of objects and in aerosols.
According to a post on the NIH website, researches found that the germs can live on contaminated surfaces for hours and are similar to the SARS virus.
“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 NIH writes.
"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 NIH goes on to explain that the 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 object.”
For those wondering about SARS-CoV-1 after seeing a reference to SARS-CoV-2, the NIH explains that:
“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.”
According to the NIH’s observations from their study, those who have the coronavirus “may be spreading it without recognizing, or prior to recognizing, symptoms,” which is likely one reason why many states have shut down schools and closed nonessential business. The BBC says that the virus can also be spread “in tiny droplets released from the nose and mouth of an infected person as they cough.”
The NIH provided the following tips to help prevent further coronavirus spread:
- "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.
The full NIH report can be found here.
More of PennLive’s continuing coronavirus coverage:
- Where are Pennsylvania’s coronavirus cases? Map, details on known cases as of March 17, 2020
- Updated list of central Pa. restaurants closed or switching to takeout/delivery over coronavirus
- Police in central Pa. won’t respond to some calls to avoid coronavirus