Alarming study shows coronavirus can survive 28 days on money and smartphones

[Chris Smith]

• A new coronavirus study shows that the virus can survive and remain infectious for up to 28 days in darkness at room temperature on smooth surfaces like money and smartphone screens.
• The study showed the virus was able to live on surfaces more than 10 days longer than a common flu strain.
• The SARS-CoV-2 virus dies much faster under regular lighting conditions, but it would still survive for several hours, depending on the surface.
• The findings further reinforce the importance of frequent hand washing and the regular use of hand sanitizer.

We’ve known since mid-March that the novel coronavirus can survive for several hours in the air and up to three days on smooth surfaces like plastic and stainless steel. The same research told us that SARS-CoV-2 could be detectable on copper for up to four hours and a full day on cardboard. At the time, fomite transmission was a major concern. But that was even before face mask-wearing was being advised. In the months that followed, we learned that the virus can indeed survive a long time on certain surfaces, but it will not always be infectious. Frequent hand washing is still advised as one of the simple safety measures that can prevent infections, though COVID-19 spreads mainly via droplets and aerosols in the air, rather than touch.

Against that backdrop, new COVID-19 research indicates the pathogen can survive for as long as 28 days on certain surfaces, especially smooth ones, like paper money. The virus can survive longer than flu viruses, especially at lower temperatures, which further reinforces the importance of hand-washing.

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Alarming study shows coronavirus can survive 28 days on money and smartphones originally appeared on BGR.com on Mon, 12 Oct 2020 at 09:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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