According to a recent study published in the Virology Journal, SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus can remain infectious on a smooth surface for up to 28 days at 20°C temperature.
In the study titled as “The Effect of Temperature on Persistence of SARS-COV-2 on Common surfaces,” by the researchers at CSIRO, the Australian scientific research agency, has claimed that SARS-COV-2 remains active for 28 days on glass, stainless steel, and currencies at 20°C.
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The survival time of the SARS-COV-2 was reduced due to an increase in temperature. For example, the SARS-COV-2 coronavirus will remain active on smooth surfaces for only 24 hours at 40°C temperature.
While conducting the study the CSIRO, researchers dried SARS-COV-2 in an artificial mucus on different surfaces at focuses similar to samples from coronavirus patients and mined the virus after a month.
In contrast, the Influenza virus which causes flu can stay infected on smooth surfaces for 17 days.
The Chief Executive of CSIRO Larry Marshall has requested to all the individuals to follow the frequent cleaning and handwashing in order to halt the spread of COVID-19.
The study was also carried out in the dark, to remove the effect of UV light as research has demonstrated direct sunlight can rapidly inactivate the virus.
CSIRO Chief Executive further said that this new study will assist in restricting the transmission of the lethal infection.
“Establishing how long the virus really remains viable on surfaces enables us to more accurately predict and mitigate its spread and do a better job of protecting our people.”
Moreover, Trevor Drew, the Director of the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness has said that CSIRO’s findings will benefit us in understanding the perseverance and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in low-temperature regions.
Each country is conducting research on different aspects of virus survivability with the results shared as they become available.
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