How long can the coronavirus survive on different surfaces? ****************************************************************************************** * How much are we at risk from the coronavirus on different surfaces? ****************************************************************************************** An investigation into the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has examined how long it can surv surfaces. The findings of the study recently published by the New England Journal of Medic that in a lab setting the virus remained detectable for up to 72 hours on plastic and stee cardboard and four hours on copper. If someone touches a contaminated item – a set of keys even cash – can they get sick? The fact that the virus is still detectable on, say, a piece of cardboard after 24 hours i particularly reassuring (not least if you have just received a package in the post). But w is also the rate of the virus’ deterioration. The longer it is on a surface exposed to out the more it is impacted and compromised and begins to deteriorate exponentially. The viral load) drops, making it potentially less dangerous. Scientists involved in a recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine [ U www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2004973?query=featured_home"] looking closely at the co causes the deadly Covid-19, found the half-life of the virus on plastics was less than sev than six hours on stainless steel, three-and-a-half hours on cardboard and 46 minutes on c enjoys remarkable microbe contact-killing qualities). All of the numbers are estimates but idea how long the virus can survive outside of a living host. The graph below shows clearly the deterioration rate over time with plastics (plast), stai (ocel), cardboard (karton), and copper (měď) falling over different rates over the course (hodiny). Czech experts surmised the findings at okoronaviru.cz [ URL "https://www.okorona and added the following recommendations when it comes to disinfecting surfaces and touchin different items or foods. • It is important to choose the right type of disinfectant per surface in order to be effe not damage the skin on your hands. • It can be safer and easier in some cases to set a suspect item aside for a “quarantine p than handling it straight away. • Packaged food and food cooked at high temperatures is safe. It is a good idea to wash fr vegetables with running water and a non-perfumed soap. • The virus is resistant to cold so freezing items won’t help. • Textile masks has to be disinfected by boiling, washing in the washing machine, and iron not be put in ovens or microwave oven due to the fire hazard. • The disinfection of single-use professional masks is not recommended as it may damage th safety propertie Last week, concerns were raised in the media that the novel coronavirus could be spread ha cash bills. The European Central Bank issued a press release emphasising there was no scie touching bills was any more dangerous than any other surface. Jitka Forstová, the head of Virology [ URL "https://web.natur.cuni.cz/molbio/virology/"] at Charles University’s Facul told iForum this: The greatest risk of getting coronavirus is when you are in close contact with someone who either through aerosol or a contaminated surface. In public, the riskiest are door knobs o poles in trams and busses, as well as elevator buttons. In her view, cash represents a certain risk as well, given the pace at which money changes Money can change hands quickly form customer to cashier to the next customer. I would say diligent and to wear gloves, pay by card, and to disinfect shortly afterwards. Václava Adámková, the head physician at the Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laborato the General University Hospital and of the First Faculty of Medicine of Charles University ulbld.lf1.cuni.cz/en"] , says there is another risk people might not be fully aware of: th phones. They are the highest risk, not only for coronavirus but viruses and bacteria in general. T contamination and contracting a virus is high because we bring the phone close to our lips alternative is to use headphones with a mic. She stresses that in the time of a virus epidemic it is a good idea to disinfect regularly phones which are shared in the office. Appropriate disinfectant wipes can be used. But the most important of all in combatting the spread of the virus is respecting hygiene public areas, to use disposable gloves when possible, avoiding touching one’s face and - u home and periodically throughout the day - to carefully wash one’s hands. Translated by Jan Velinger Original article [ URL "https://iforum.cuni.cz/IFORUM-16723.html"]