Unic Press UK: The coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2, which causes a disease known as COVID-19, an upper-respiratory tract illness, is stable for many hours/days in aerosols and on surfaces, according to a new study from National Institutes of Health, CDC, UCLA and Princeton University scientists, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
“The scientists found that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was detectable in aerosols for up to three hours, up to four hours on copper, up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to two to three days on plastic and stainless steel. The results provide key information about the stability of SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 disease, and suggests that people may acquire the virus through the air and after touching contaminated objects”, a statement issued by the NIAID reads.
Experts further assert that three out of the many coronaviruses can cause much more serious health challenges as observed in “SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), which emerged in late 2002 and disappeared by 2004; MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome), which emerged in 2012 and remains in circulation in camels; and COVID-19, which emerged in December 2019…”
How to STAY SAFE and avoid catching/spreading – National Health Service (NHS)
DO – Things you can do to avoid contracting/spreading COVID-19
- Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
- Always wash your hands when you get home or into work
- Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
- Put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
- Avoid close contact with people who have symptoms of coronavirus
- Only travel on public transport if you need to
- Work from home, if you can
- Avoid social activities, such as going to pubs, restaurants, theatres and cinemas
- Avoid events with large groups of people
- Use phone, online services, or apps to contact your GP surgery or other NHS services
DON’T – What you should not do
- Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
- Do not have visitors to your home, including friends and family
