Since the early days of the coronavirus outbreak, researchers have been studying how long it can live on various surfaces, from cardboard to stainless steel.
The novel coronavirus is primarily a respiratory illness, and it typically spreads via airborne droplets from an infected person’s coughs or sneezes, but it can also be transmitted on objects if you grab something that has enough virus on it then touch your face.
This growing body of research has been used to help guide recommendations on how the public can protect themselves from COVID-19.
A new report published in Lancet studied the stability and amount of virus present over time on various surfaces, including tissues, wood, and cloth.
They were surprised to find the novel coronavirus on the outside of a face mask a week later.
“Strikingly, a detectable level of infectious virus could still be present on the outer layer of a surgical mask on day 7,” the researchers wrote.
- Researchers have been investigating the stability of the novel coronavirus on different surfaces to try and figure out how it can be transmitted.
- A new report published in the journal Lancet found the virus lasted on the outside of a surgical mask for 7 days.
- Given their findings, one of the researchers conducting the study advised people not to touch the outside of the face masks, which could contaminate the hands.
- Researchers also doubled down on previous precautionary measures that washing your hands frequently, avoiding touching your face, and staying home are the best ways to protect yourself from COVID-19.