The effect of temperature on persistence of SARS-CoV-2 on common surfaces

Abstract

Background The rate at which COVID-19 has spread throughout the globe has been alarming. While the role of fomite transmission is not yet fully understood, precise data on the environmental stability of SARS-CoV-2 is required to determine the risks of fomite transmission from contaminated surfaces. Methods This study measured the survival rates of infectious SARS-CoV-2, suspended in a standard ASTM E2197 matrix, on several common surface types. All experiments were carried out in the dark, to negate any effects of UV light. Inoculated surfaces were incubated at 20 °C, 30 °C and 40 °C and sampled at various time points. Results Survival rates of SARS-CoV-2 were determined at different temperatures and D-values, Z-values and half-life were calculated. We obtained half lives of between 1.7 and 2.7 days at 20 °C, reducing to a few hours when temperature was elevated to 40 °C. With initial viral loads broadly equivalent to the highest titres excreted by infectious patients, viable virus was isolated for up to 28 days at 20 °C from common surfaces such as glass, stainless steel and both paper and polymer banknotes. Conversely, infectious virus survived less than 24 h at 40 °C on some surfaces. Conclusion These findings demonstrate SARS-CoV-2 can remain infectious for significantly longer time periods than generally considered possible. These results could be used to inform improved risk mitigation procedures to prevent the fomite spread of COVID-19.

Rapid and complete inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 by ultraviolet-C irradiation

“…Using linear regression methods of analysis, our data provides a comprehensive overview of viral decay as a function of time for both wet (4 s) and dried (9 s) virus. Given the extended survival of SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces such as bank notes, glass and stainless steel 14 , the ability of countermeasures such as UV devices to inactivate virus on previously contaminated surfaces is crucial and was demonstrated using dried virus in our study.…”

Ozone potential to fight against SAR-COV-2 pandemic: facts and research needs

“…SARS-CoV-2 virus levels were as high as 67,164 copies/m 3 in the air of hospital environments housing COVID-19 patients (Yao et al 2020 ). Due to the possible build-up of the airborne virus-carrying droplets, the stability of the virus in indoor air is critical (Morawska and Cao 2020 ; Riddell et al 2020 ). SARS-CoV-2 is stable for a period varying from several hours to several days in aerosols and on surfaces.…”

“…These preliminary figures are, in general, lower than the 4–5 days estimated for the SARS-CoV-1 survival in metal, wood, and paper (Kampf et al 2020 ). Recently, viable SARS-CoV-2 has been isolated after 7 days on surgical masks by Chin et al ( 2020 ) and after 28 days from common non-porous surfaces (glass, stainless steel, banknotes) at ambient temperature and humidity by Riddell et al ( 2020 ). Increasing the temperature drastically reduced the survivability of the virus to as little as 24 h at 40 °C.…”

Factors That Might Affect SARS-CoV-2 Transmission Among Foreign-Born and U.S.-Born Poultry Facility Workers — Maryland, May 2020

“…Fixed jobs on the production floor (e.g., cutup and packaging, evisceration, and receiving) were considered high-risk because they involve physical proximity to other workers and have been associated with SARS-CoV-2 transmission in other meat processing facilities (2)(3)(4). Cold temperature work areas were also considered high-risk because cold could prolong virus stability and facilitate transmission (6). Fixed jobs were compared with jobs that involved multiple work areas because the latter tend to be managerial or maintenance positions with more flexibility to maintain physical distance and have less contact with high-touch surfaces.…”