On the 22nd, medical staff are busy examining citizens who visited a corona19 screening clinic at a public health center in Daejeon. Photos not related to the content of the article. [프리랜서 김성태]
– Research results show that the novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19) virus can survive up to 72 hours on the surface of fibers such as polyester.
The BBC announced on the 24th (local time) that researchers at the University of De Montfort in England, UK, smeared a virus very similar to Corona 19 (HCoV-OC43) on polyester, polycotton (a material that synthesizes polyester and cotton), and cotton in the form of droplets. After 72 hours of observation, it was reported that the virus survived for 72 hours on the polyester surface, 24 hours on pure cotton, and 6 hours on the polycotton surface.
During survival on the fiber surface, the infectivity of the virus remained unchanged. However, it was investigated that the virus does not cross-contaminate with other clothes through a washing machine with a cloth covered with the virus.
The researchers also recommended that laundry detergents must be used to completely remove viruses from cotton, and the water temperature must be raised to 67 degrees Celsius or higher.
Dr. Katie Laird of Microbiology, who led the study, said these fibers are commonly used in healthcare workers’ uniforms and pose a risk of transmission. “If you take the uniform at home, it can leave traces of the virus on other surfaces. Medical workers’ work clothes are washable at the hospital site. Or industrial laundry.”
Dr. Laird’s research team’s thesis containing such content is currently being reviewed by fellow scholars.
Reporter Jeong Hye-jeong [email protected] 
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