doi: medRxiv preprint NOTE: This preprint reports new research that has not been certified by peer review and should not be used to guide clinical practice.

Originating at December 2019 in China, SARS-CoV-2 has emerged as the deadliest pandemic in the history of mankind. Along with direct contact and droplet contaminations, possibility of infections through contaminated surfaces and fomites are being investigated. In this study, we aim to assess the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA by real time one-step reverse transcriptase PCR on banknotes being circulating in Bangladesh. We also assessed the persistence of the virus on banknotes spiked with SARS-CoV-2 positive diluted human nasopharyngeal samples. Among the 425 banknote samples collected from different entities, 7.29% (n= 31) were tested positive for targeted genes. Twenty four representative positive samples were assessed for N gene fragments by conventional PCR and sequenced. All the samples carry viral RNA belonged to GR clade, the predominant circulating clade in Bangladesh. In the test of stability, the N gene was detected for up to 72 h on banknotes spiked with nasopharyngeal samples and CT values increases significantly with time (p<0.05). ORF1b gene was observed to be less stable specially on old banknotes and usually went beyond detectable limit within 8 to 10 h. The stability of virus RNA was well fitted by Weibull model and concave curve for new banknotes and convex curve for old banknotes have been revealed. Handling of banknotes is unavoidable; hence these findings implicated that in order to limit SARS-CoV-2 transmission through banknotes proper hygiene practice are needed.