Infection prevention experts are calling COVID-19 an
infodemic, meaning misinformation spreading quicker than the virus itself. Everyday we are reading updates on the increasing
number of cases and deaths. We are unfortunately
not talking about the positive: the increased number of cases who have
recovered.
As more time passes, researchers are sharing and publishing
more information about the virus itself.
One of the exciting studies that is being published in the New England Journal of
Medicine investigates the length of time that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that
causes COVID-19 disease, can survive on surfaces. It is generally believed that COVID-19 is
transmitted in droplet form after sneezing or coughing. The importance of this is that droplets are
heavier and can only stay suspended in air for a short period of time before
dropping to land on a surface. If you
are close enough for the virus particles to reach you after someone coughs or sneezes,
you can become infected.
The ability for the virus to survive in the air and on
surfaces has a direct impact on its ability to transmit from person to
person. The study investigated and
compared SARS-CoV-2 and the original SARS virus to determine their aerosol
stability and surface survival capability. When it came to stability of SARS-CoV-2 on
surfaces, researchers looked at the ability to survive on the surface for up to
7 days. The testing conducted indicated
that viable virus could be found on plastic and stainless steel for up to 72 hours. The virus was found to survive better
(higher concentrations for longer) on plastic.
On copper, SARS-CoV-2 did not survive past 4 hours and on cardboard, it
did not survive past 24 hours. When it
came to the viability of SARS-CoV-2 surviving as an aerosol, researchers used 3
hours as the point of time to test and found that viable virus was found in
aerosols throughout the duration of the study.
Gaining clarity into SARS-CoV-2’s ability to survive on
surfaces and after being “shed” via coughing and sneezing is an important piece
of the puzzle. The shorter timeframe it
can survive, the better our chance of stopping its spread. It’s important to understand that these tests
were conducted under carefully controlled conditions in a lab. In the real world, where conditions (e.g.
temperature, humidity and sunlight) can impact the ability to survive as
well. For example, we know that sunlight
can help in reducing the infectivity of viruses on surfaces.
The long and the short is we still have so much more to
learn about this virus. There is
speculation that infected people may be shedding the virus and infecting others
before they even exhibit symptoms. If
true, this certainly impacts the speed with which we can curb the pandemic.
However, many countries are taking precautions such as cancelling large
gatherings, closing schools and restaurants as well as asking for people to
work from home and follow social distancing, all of which will help curb
transmission. If the virus is only capable
of surviving for 3 days as opposed to initial indications of much longer, then
we can continue wage war against SARS-CoV-2 and be victorious by all working
together.
Bugging Off!
Nicole
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