SARS-CoV-2 stability is similar to original SARS virus

According to a new study from National Institutes of Health, Princeton University, CDC and UCLA scientists in The New England Journal of Medicine has found that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS COV 2) virus can remain stable for several hours to days in aerosols and on surfaces.

The virus was evident in aerosols for almost 3 hours, up to 4 hours on copper, up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to 2 - 3 days on plastic and stainless steel. The results submits that people can acquire the virus through the air and or after touching the contaminated objects.

SARS-CoV-1 is the human coronavirus that is most closely related to SARS-CoV-2. In the stability study, both the viruses performed similarly, which is unfortunately failed to explain the reason of a larger outbreak of COVID-19 infection.

The NIH research study attempted to mimic the virus by depositing it from an infected person on everyday surfaces in a house or hospital setting, by coughing or touching the surfaces or objects. After this, the scientists investigated that how long the virus stayed infectious on these surfaces or objects.  

The scientists emphasized the following added observations from their study:

• If the sustainability of the two coronaviruses is similar, then why SARS-CoV-2 is resulting in more cases? Progressing evidence has mentioned that people infected with SARS-CoV-2 can spread virus without knowing, or prior to identifying any symptoms. This makes the disease control measures, which were effective against SARS-CoV-1 less effective against its follower.
• In contrast to SARS-CoV-1, many of the secondary cases of virus transmission of SARS-CoV-2 have appeared to be stirring in community settings rather than healthcare settings.  But, healthcare settings are also susceptible to the introduction and spread of SARS-CoV-2, and the stability of SARS-CoV-2 in aerosols and on objects or surfaces possibly contributes to transmission of the virus in healthcare settings also.

The findings confirm the following:

• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose.
• Be at home when you are unwell.
• Cover your mouth with a tissue while coughing or sneezing. Then throw the tissue in the dustbin.
• Frequently clean and disinfect touched objects or surfaces by using a regular household cleaning spray or any wipe.

Source: N van Doremalen, et al. Aerosol and surface stability of HCoV-19 (SARS-CoV-2) compared to SARS-CoV-1. The New England Journal of Medicine. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMc2004973 (2020).

Dr KK Aggarwal

President CMAAO, HCFI and Past National President IMA