TOKYO – A study conducted by Japanese researchers revealed that the corona virus remains active for 9 hours when attached to human skin. These findings further emphasize the importance of washing hands frequently to fight the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“As a comparison, the pathogens that cause flu can only survive on human skin for about 1.8 hours. “The persistence of SARS-CoV-2 for 9 hours on human skin increases the risk of transmission when compared to the influenza A virus and further accelerates the onset of the pandemic,” said a study report published in the journal. Clinical Infectious Diseases this month’s edition, which was published on Sunday (18/10).
The research team tested the skin collected from the autopsy specimen about one day after death. Both the corona virus and the flu virus are deactivated within 15 seconds using the ethanol used in hand sanitizer.
“The longer survival of SARS-CoV-2 on the skin increases the risk of contact transmission. However, maintaining good hand hygiene can reduce this risk, ”said the study.
The study supports World Health Organization guidelines for regular and thorough hand washing to limit transmission of the virus. When washing your hands, try to clean them thoroughly for up to 20 seconds using soap and water.
When hand washing with soap is not possible, replace with use hand sanitizer hand sanitizer gel. Don’t forget to always wear a mask, especially in crowded places and spaces with poor ventilation.
n SB / AFP / P-4
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