Chinese coronavirus can survive for days on plastic and stainless steel
American research published in “The New England Journal of Medicine“ shows that under ideal conditions, the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that emerged in Wuhan and wreaked havoc around the world, remains intact on plastic and stainless steel surfaces for up to 72 hours. In very small droplets in the air, so-called aerosols, it can ‘survive’ for a few hours. Therefore, the widespread hygiene advices are welcome under the current circumstances.
Coronavirus (wikimedia commons)
The researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in Hamilton, MT, performed laboratory measurements on how long the viral particles survive in aerosols as well as on plastic, stainless steel, copper and cardboard surfaces. The meaning of ‘survival’ is that the virus would still be able to multiply in cells.
According to the Dutch virologist Eric van Gorp of the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, this research confirms what we actually already knew: that respiratory viruses can spread through direct contact. “Each virus has different properties and therefore behaves differently. Now it has been neatly demonstrated that this corona virus does indeed spread through the air and via surfaces.”
This is in line with what was already posted on the Public Health Service (RIVM) website: that the coronavirus can ‘survive’ outside the body for several hours to several days, depending on the type of materials and conditions.
This is why, it is important to recognize inflammation as a shared factor that may cause multiple health problems. viagra pills canada The herbs viagra prices greyandgrey.com in the pill can promote blood and Qi circulation to release the pain caused by the tight muscles. Some of the causes for premature ejaculation include hurry situation to reach climax, guilt feelings, anxiety, soft viagra relationship problems, etc. Meanwhile, physicians recommend men to choose healthy lifestyle in order to improve their sexual health, such as eating well, exercising, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol intake, decrease weight, have a healthy diet and regular exercise. vardenafil sale
Most cases caused by airborne infections
The exact lifetime of the virus on shopping carts, door handles and light buttons cannot be determined based on this study. “In this laboratory study, the conditions for the virus were ideal,” says Van Gorp. “In practice, factors such as higher temperature, lower humidity and more wind shorten the ‘life span’ of the virus.”
According to Mariet Feltkamp, a medical virologist at the Leiden University Medical Center, the main message is that in some circumstances it takes many hours for the amount of virus to decrease significantly. That is why we have to wash our hands.
Van Gorp emphasizes that the main infection route is still airborne. “I see people who use alcohol all day long for disinfection, which is unnecessary. The most effective measures are keeping a safe distance as well as coughing and sneezing into your elbow. Washing hands fewquently contributes to good hygiene.”
Whether the Chinese coronavirus survives on surfaces longer than other viruses cannot be determined on the basis of this research. “Unfortunately, this study only compares the current novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) to the virus that caused SARS in 2003 (SARS-CoV-1) and not to other common cold or flu viruses,” said Feltkamp.