Covid-19 ~ Coronavirus lifespan on surfaces

Note:  In COVID-19, ‘CO’ stands for ‘corona,’ ‘VI’ for ‘virus,’ and ‘D’ for disease

The virus is so new there is limited data available on it and research continues.


What is the viruses lifespan on surfaces?

Airbourne:         30 minutes to 3hrs
Cardboard:        24hrs
Stainless Steel:  2 days
Plastic:              3 days

How long does the virus last on clothes?

On clothing and other surfaces harder to disinfect, it is not yet clear how long the virus can survive.

As of 18th March 2020  "the virus's survival on natural fibres has only been tested on cardboard."

How long does it last in your hair?

There is not much data available on this but Elizabeth Ransom, chief physician executive at Baptist Health in Jacksonville said this...

"Ransom said she wouldn’t be particularly concerned about hair or skin elsewhere on the body carrying the virus, since they would rarely come into contact with infected surfaces. As long as you’re washing your hands frequently, continue twirling your tresses as you please."

“It could be in your hair, but it would be hard to imagine unless someone actively coughed and got droplets in your hair,” Ransom said. “The most common mechanism for transmission is related to hands, because we’re using them all the time, constantly touching things, and we aren’t even aware of it. Then we touch our faces all the time without even thinking about it.”

How is it spreading?

"Like many respiratory viruses, including flu, Covid-19 can be spread in tiny droplets released from the nose and mouth of an infected person as they cough. A single cough can produce up to 3,000 droplets. These particles can land on other people, clothing and surfaces around them, but some of the smaller particles can remain in the air. There is also some evidence that the virus is also shed for longer in faecal matter, so anyone not washing their hands thoroughly after visiting the toilet could contaminate anything they touch."

"The virus is most likely to spread from person to person through close contact and respiratory droplets from coughs and sneezes that can land on a nearby person's mouth or nose, according to the CDC."

Isn't it the same as Flu?

No - In comparison, flu viruses can last on surfaces for only about 48 hours.

Isn't it the same as SARS?

In comparison Covid-19 lasts about the same time on hard surfaces but three times longer on cardboard than SARS did: 24hrs, compared to eight hours.

Considerations.

Due to the lifespan of 24 hrs on cardboard and most things are delivered in boxes. Maybe you should think about quarantining deliveries for 24hrs before opening?

What about letters?

What about food deliveries?

What about packaging around food in shops that are possibly picked up and handled by many people?




LINKS
livescience-Here’s how long the coronavirus will last on surfaces, and how to disinfect those surfaces.
bbc-Covid-19: How long does the coronavirus last on surfaces?
foxnews-New study details lifespan of coronavirus in air, on surfaces
mirror-Doctor explains how long coronavirus can live on clothes - and shares washing advice
cdc.gov-Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
businessinsider-The coronavirus lives on copper for 4 hours, on cardboard for 1 day, and on plastic for 3 days, new research says.
nejm-Aerosol and Surface Stability of SARS-CoV-2 as Compared with SARS-CoV-1
huffingtonpost-How Long Does Coronavirus Live On Skin, Hair And Nails?
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/wellness/a31789443/coronavirus-questions-answers-faq