Scientists Reveal That COVID Can Survive on Surfaces for 28 Days

October 15, 2020

A recently published article by The Guardian stated that the COVID-19 virus can survive for up to 28 days on surfaces according to Australian scientists. They stated that surfaces such as the glass on a mobile phone, stainless steel, vinyl, paper currency, and smooth surfaces can harbor the virus for almost a month. The CSIRO national science agency also reported that the virus survived even longer at colder temperatures and darker environments versus hotter temperatures and environments such as the outdoors because UV lights inactivate the virus.

Peter Collignon, a professor of infectious diseases at the Australian National University, said that the study showed them that the virus can persist; however, he stated that 90% of infections are related to people being too close to each other, if they sneeze over you, or you contract the virus via droplets. He then stated that 10% of it is likely transmitted by surfaces and human hand contact.

All in all, this research supports the need for risk-mitigation strategies in high-contact areas with heavy human traffic. The same goes for environments where lower temperatures increase the livelihood of the virus surviving in areas such as meat processing facilities and similar environments. You can read BGR's article titled, Virus That Causes COVID-19 Can Survive up to 28 Days on Surfaces, Scientists Find here for more information on the topic.