Coronavirus Lives On Surfaces For Days

 A new study found the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is stable for several hours to days, in aerosols and on surfaces, according to a new study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

This NIH study attempted to mimic the coronavirus being deposited from an infected person onto everyday surfaces in a household, such as through coughing or touching objects. 

These scientists found that SARS-CoV-2 was detectable in aerosols for up to 3-hours, up to 4-hours on copper, up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to 3-days on plastic and stainless steel. 

Announced on March 17, 2020, these results provide key information about the stability of SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 disease, and suggests that people may acquire the virus through the air and after touching contaminated objects.

The NIH scientists, from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases’ Montana facility at Rocky Mountain Laboratories, compared how the environment affects SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-1, which causes SARS. SARS-CoV-1, like its successor now circulating across the globe, emerged from China and infected more than 8,000 people in 2002 and 2003.

SARS-CoV-1 was eradicated by intensive contact tracing and case isolation measures and no cases have been detected since 2004.

Texans Urged to Take Preventative Measures Against SARS-CoV-2

People should take common sense, everyday actions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 disease

Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Commissioner Dr. John Hellerstedt urged ‘all Texans to continue taking preventative measures against the spreading of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes the COVID-19 disease. 

The Governor and Commissioner urged Texans to heed the direction of health providers and public health entities and asked that Texans take common sense, everyday action to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.

"As the State of Texas continues to implement proactive strategies to combat COVID-19, we encourage all Texans to take precautionary steps to protect themselves and those around them," read the statement. 

"Actions, like washing your hands with soap and water, staying home when you are sick, avoiding shaking hands, and covering a cough or sneeze, may seem like simple tasks, but they can have a tremendous impact to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect public health.” 

“We urge all Texans to adopt these preventative measures into their daily routines and to follow the guidance of their health care providers as well as state, federal, and local public health entities."

Additionally, DSHS has released an informational video featuring Dr. Hellerstedt that details effective precautionary measures Texans can take to protect themselves.

 A recent study found chest Computed Tomography (CT) outperformed lab testing in the diagnosis of the coronavirus disease COVID-19. 

And, these researchers at Tongji Hospital in Wuhan, China, found that the sensitivity of CT for COVID-19 infection was 97 percent compared to RT-PCR sensitivity of 71 percent.

Published on February 26, 2020, this study’s results are based on 1,014 Chinese patient evaluations between January 6 and February 6, 2020.

The results showed that 601 patients (59%) had positive RT-PCR results, and 888 (88%) had positive chest CT scans.

Of these, 48 percent were considered as highly likely cases, with 33 percent as probable cases. 

By analysis of serial RT-PCR assays and CT scans, the interval between the initial negative to positive RT-PCR results was 4 to 8 days.

A Chest CT is a routine imaging tool for pneumonia diagnosis and is fast and relatively easy to perform.

"About 81% of the patients with negative RT-PCR results but positive chest CT scans were re-classified as highly likely or probable cases with COVID-19, by the comprehensive analysis of clinical symptoms, typical CT manifestations, and dynamic CT follow-ups," the authors wrote.

They concluded that CT should be used as the primary screening tool for COVID-19 disease.