Current evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces made from a variety of materials. Cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for prevention of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in community settings.
. . . findings show that SARS-CoV-2 is actually quite similar to SARS-CoV-1 in terms of stability in the environment. This means we can learn from our experiences with SARS in 2002-2004 to gain insights into infection control, especially in healthcare settings. On the other hand, it indicates that the major differences in the epidemiology of these viruses probably arise from other factors—especially the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to be transmitted by people not exhibiting clear symptoms.”
The virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is stable for several hours to days in aerosols and on surfaces, according to a new study from National Institutes of Health, CDC, UCLA and Princeton University scientists in The New England Journal of Medicine.