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The coronavirus survives on a smartphone for almost a month, say Australian researchers.
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Researchers from Australia’s National Science Bureau (CSIRO) say the coronavirus can remain contagious on surfaces such as your smartphone screen for 28 days. This reports the British broadcaster BBC.
Previously, studies showed that the SARS-Cov-2 can survive for two or three days on banknotes and glass. In addition, it would survive for six days on plastic and stainless steel. The CSIRO researchers call the virus “extremely robust”. They argue that the virus can survive longer on smooth surfaces at room temperature than initially thought.
Dark and warm
It is important to know that the investigation took place in the dark. This is because UV light has been shown to kill the virus. Where the coronavirus lasts for 28 days, the flu virus can survive for 17 days in the same circumstances.
The research shows that the corona virus does not last as long in higher temperatures. At a temperature of 40 ° C, the virus is no longer contagious within 24 hours. The virus also lasts longer on smooth, non-porous surfaces. This is less true for porous surfaces, such as clothing. After 14 days, the virus was no longer visible on clothing.
Meat industry
The fact that the corona virus can remain contagious for longer at lower temperatures and on stainless steel may explain why there are many corona outbreaks in the meat processing industry and cold storage. All over the world, thousands of workers in that sector have been tested positive for the virus.
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