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COVID-19 Surface Life

How Long Does the Coronavirus Last on Different Surfaces?
    
    The most effective way to prevent the spread of the coronavirus is to stay at home and avoid going to public gatherings. However, staying at home does not completely protect yourself from the virus. Even at home, there's still exposure to the outside world through contact with packages, groceries and mail. A concern some people may have is that the virus could linger on these different surfaces. How long can the coronavirus survive on mail, packages and groceries and how likely is it to be infected through contact with a contaminated surface?

Studies and Data

    A new study, published on April 16, 2020 in the New England Journal of Medicine, examined how long the novel coronavirus can survive in the air and on different surfaces (copper, cardboard, stainless steel and plastic). Based on the results of the paper, in each environment, the virus had a different lifespan. 

 1. Air: at least 3 hours
2. Copper: 4 hours
3. Cardboard: 24 hours
4. Stainless Steel: 72 hours
5. Plastic: 72 hours

     Once the virus left its human host, it began to decrease exponentially on all surfaces. The virus showed to be more stable on plastic and stainless steel compared to copper and cardboard. The virus had the shortest viability time on copper for 4 hours and longest on stainless steel and plastic for 3 days.

     The results also showed the half-life of the virus (time it takes for the virus to reduce to half its original value) in the air and on the surfaces, as shown below. 

 1. Air: 1 hour
2. Copper: 1 hour  
3. Cardboard: 3-4 hours
4. Stainless Steel: 5.6 hours 
5. Plastic: 6.8 hours 

     According to Dr. Todd Green, a virologist and professor at University of Alabama, other factors including temperature and humidity also impacts the viability of the virus. On windy days, the force of the wind could cause the virus to fall on the ground or other surfaces. Dr. Green also mentions that higher temperature and humidity level causes the virus to be less viable over time. 

Artenstein, A. W., et al. “Aerosol and Surface Stability of SARS-CoV-2 as Compared with SARS-CoV-1: NEJM.” New England Journal of Medicine, New England Journal of Medicine, 16 Apr. 2020, www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2004973?query=featured_home.

What this Means

    Most packages are made of cardboard and the data shows that the virus is viable for up to twenty four hours on cardboard. Although it's unlikely someone will contract the coronavirus through surface contact, preventative measures can still be taken. You should wash your hands after opening packages to kill off any germs and disinfect surfaces with isopropyl alcohol. With data showing that the virus can last for up to several hours or days on various surfaces, taking these extra steps is highly recommended. However, exposure to infected people is still the main cause of viral infection. With that being said, it is very important to remember to social distance and stay at home. 

Sources

1.  Artenstein, A. W., et al. “Aerosol and Surface Stability of SARS-CoV-2 as Compared with SARS-CoV-1: NEJM.” New England Journal of Medicine, New England Journal of Medicine, 16 Apr. 2020, www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2004973?query=featured_home.


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