How long does it stay on surfaces or remain suspended in air ?
SARS Corona Virus 2, which causes the disease CoViD-19 which has infected over one million people globally and is still counting. Total death toll has crossed 74 thousand as on April 7th, 2020. This corona virus is more contagious than the other species of corona viruses
As the contagiousness of the virus is concerned, it is also to be taken into account the life of virus outside human body and its life cycle on various surfaces. As studies shows that this virus can live on surfaces like plastic & steel for more than 3 days & for few hours on copper surfaces. It can live on cardboard surface for a period of 24 hours. The whole world is taking precautions in this regard, like avoid touching surfaces in public areas and washing hands with soap and water by rubbing soap at least 20 – 25 seconds. But now there arises a question what if the virus is travelling through air. This question is obvious as it has been seen that medical staff like doctors and nurses are getting infected who are looking after corona virus infected patients and taking proper and necessary precautions. This Virus is not airborne but it can remain suspended in air for hours before settling down on earth or surfaces, as the study shows. It means that where any infected person coughs, or sneezes or exhaled the breath without precautions, may infect others passing through the same area till the virus settle down on some surface.
World Health Organisation has already advised to wear masks by those who have symptoms of cough, Flu, sneezing, body aches or Fever, as it will prevent the spread of virus from infected persons to others. However simple masks do not protect from viruses, and do not guarantee that virus will not enter human body, but masks prevent the spread of virus in the air as any infected person coughs or sneezes, the thrust of air exhaled is reduced & droplets will not enter into air and chances of suspension of virus in the air is also reduced.
Doctors and medicals experts from whole world are suggesting methods to contain its spread. As there is no medication or vaccination out there which can cure this disease, because all are under animal testing trials or other selective human trials. Till then the only ways are reducing human movements, isolation and quarantining the infected people. Medical experts also advise people to wash the hands regularly with soap and water and rubbing soap properly for more than 20 seconds and also not touching the face, nose, mouth or eyes with hands. Where there is no soap or water available, use of alcohol based sanitizer is suggested and rubbing the sanitizer properly.
