Coronavirus Update – COVID-19 Can Stay on Mobile Screens for 28 Days
This research was performed by CSIRO scientists to assess the environmental stability of COVID-19
It has been a while since we heard something good regarding the deadly COVID-19. Sadly, there’s some more coronavirus update that we would not call good. As per research published in the Virology Journal, COVID-19 might survive on surfaces like mobile screens for as long as 28 days.
This research was performed by CSIRO scientists to assess the environmental stability of COVID-19 to work the risks of fomite transmission from contaminated surfaces. As per the paper which published this coronavirus update, de-monetized banknotes, Australian polymer banknotes, and common surfaces like glass, vinyl, stainless steel, and cotton cloth were used as substrates which were exposed to SARS-CoV-2 isolate.
Before this coronavirus update, it was assumed that COVID-19 would survive just for a few days on most surfaces, but now, it is clear that it can survive on surfaces like mobile glass screens for weeks. The paper that shared this coronavirus update with the world reads “At 20 °C infectious SARS-CoV-2 virus was still detectable after 28 days post-inoculation, for all non-porous surfaces tested (glass, polymer note, stainless steel, vinyl and paper notes).”
The samples that were used in the research were kept in the dark. So, it is a possibility that UV light might affect the viability of coronaviruses. Hence, your phone that stays in the sunlight often might not let the traces of COVID-19 stay on it for long due to heat and UV light.
As the number of coronavirus cases is on the rise in many parts of the world, one of the things people can do instead of panicking about this coronavirus update is to invest in a UV cleaning gadget. Make sure that you only pick a product that works effectively as a cleanser and is safe for human use, as well as overexposure to UV lights, is not a good thing for most people. It would also be a wise idea not to let many people touch your phone. Follow these precautions even if you have already beaten coronavirus as reinfection is a possibility that you probably do not want to face.
In conclusion, the researchers who shared the new coronavirus update with the world wrote: “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.”
