A new study, published in the Journal of Hospital Infection, has found that similar strains of Coronavirus can live on metal, glass and plastic surfaces for up to nine days. Yikes!
While the research wasn’t carried out on the current strain of Coronavirus — which according to the ABC is now known as COVID-19 — it did look at Severe Acute Respiratory Sydnrome (SARS), Coronavirus and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) Coronavirus, which behave similarly to the current virus.
How is Coronavirus spread?
Scientists are still unsure exactly how COVID-19 is being spread but they suspect that it’s through “respiratory droplets”, which are passed through sneezes or coughing. The virus has already claimed the lives of over 1000 people in Mainland China and more than 43,000 people have been infected and a vaccine could still be 18 months away, says the ABC.
How to protect yourself
While we’re still waiting on a vaccine, it’s super important to pay attention to your personal hygiene in the midst of this outbreak. MBG Health recommends washing your hands thoroughly and regularly or using sanitizer when you can’t access soap and water.
When it comes to hard surfaces, scientists recommend using solutions made of ethanol (a type of alcohol), sodium hypochlorite based (bleach) or hydrogen peroxide which can help to reduce the pathogens on surfaces from one million down to 100.
Stay safe out there, guys.
The current health crisis is evolving rapidly. If you suspect you or a family member has coronavirus you should call (not visit) your GP or ring the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
