Lasting 4 Weeks on Banknotes, Corona Virus is Stronger than Seasonal Flu
Scientists recently discovered that the coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, can last for 4 weeks on banknotes. The study's findings were carried out by scientists at the Australian Center for Disease Preparedness. They show that it turns out that the new coronavirus is very strong, as quoted from Bloomberg, Monday (12/10/2020).
Not only in banknotes, but the virus can last for weeks on glass and other common surfaces. The research was carried out by scientists looking at the risks from banknotes, touch screen devices and door handles, and a variety of other objects in one of Australia's best biosecurity laboratories.
According to research published in the journal Virology Journal on Monday, the survival of the virus on the surface decreased to less than a day at 40 degrees Celsius.
"Our results (study) show that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can remain infectious on surfaces for long periods of time," said Debbie Eagles, deputy director of the Australian Center for Disease Preparedness.
This discovery adds to the evidence that the coronavirus that causes Covid-19 can last a long time in colder weather conditions. As a result, this virus can be potentially more difficult to control in winter than in summer.
This research also helps predict and reduce the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic more accurately.
Eagles added that based on the findings of the study, it further emphasizes and strengthens the importance of implementing health protocols, especially the practice of washing hands and cleaning surfaces regularly.
The research method used
The research was carried out using various methods to see how the virus that causes more than 37 million people worldwide is infected with Covid-19 and causes more than 1 million people to die.
One scientist involved drying the coronavirus in artificial mucus and then exposing it to different surfaces. At concentrations similar to those reported in samples from infected patients.
Other research methods are also carried out in the dark, to eliminate the effects of ultraviolet light. Because research also shows that direct sunlight can quickly kill the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Here is the time is taken to reduce the number of viruses by up to 50 percent on the surface under study at different temperatures.
1. Stainless steel
Temperature 20 degrees Celsius: 5.96 days
30 degrees Celsius temperature: 1.74 days
Temperature 40 degrees Celsius: 4.86 hours
2. Polymer surface
Temperature 20 degrees Celsius: 6.85 days
30 degrees Celsius temperature: 2.04 days
Temperature 40 degrees Celsius: 4.78 hours
3. Paper surface
Temperature 20 degrees Celsius: 9.13 days
Temperature 30 degrees Celsius: 4.32 days
Temperature 40 degrees Celsius: 5.39 days
4. Glass surface
Temperature 20 degrees Celsius: 6.32 days
30 degrees Celsius temperature: 1.45 days
Temperature 40 degrees Celsius: 6.55 hours
5. The surface of cotton or cloth
Temperature 20 degrees Celsius: 5.57 days
Temperature 30 degrees Celsius: 1.65 days
Temperature 40 degrees Celsius: non-recovered
6.Vynil surface (synthetic rubber)
Temperature 20 degrees Celsius: 6.43 days
30 degrees Celsius temperature: 1.4 days
Temperature 40 degrees Celsius: 9.9 hours
"Although the surface of objects plays a role in transmission, the level of surface contact and the amount of virus that can infect remains to be determined. Establishing how long the virus remains on the surface is essential for developing risk mitigation strategies in high-risk areas," said Eagles.
Risk of transmission of the coronavirus
The SARS-CoV-2 virus, the main cause of the current global pandemic, is surprisingly strong and can last for 28 days on smooth surfaces, such as the glass found on cellphone screens and plastic banknotes with a room temperature of around 20 degrees Celsius.
Researchers have also compared the seasonal flu virus which can survive for 17 days. So on the surface of what objects have a high risk of transmission of the coronavirus that causes Covid-19?
The SARS-CoV-2 virus was found to last a long time on glass surfaces, namely on touch screen devices such as cellphones, screens of bank ATM machines, supermarket cash registers, and check-in kiosks at airports.
Researchers say these places have a high risk of being touched which may not be cleaned regularly and thus pose a risk of transmitting the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
In this study, they emphasized that the survival time for the virus that causes Covid-19 on the surface of banknotes is longer than that of seasonal flu viruses.
Therefore, it is important to remember the frequency of circulation and the potential transmission of viruses that can exist between individuals and geographic locations.
China started decontaminating its banknotes before SARS-CoV-2 became a global pandemic. This suggests that there are concerns regarding the transmission of the virus via banknotes.
The United States and South Korea have also implemented quarantine on banknotes as a result of the pandemic to suppress the potential transmission of the virus.
"This research can also help explain the apparent persistence of the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in cool environments. Such as meat processing facilities and how we can best deal with that risk," said Trevor Drew, director of the Australian Center for Disease Preparedness.
