Modeling the stability of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on skin, currency, and clothing

Abstract

A new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in the winter of 2019 in Wuhan, China, and rapidly spread around the world. The extent and efficiency of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is far greater than previous coronaviruses that emerged in the 21st Century. Here, we modeled stability of SARS-CoV-2 on skin, paper currency, and clothing to determine if these surfaces may factor in the fomite transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2. Skin, currency, and clothing samples were exposed to SARS-CoV-2 under laboratory conditions and incubated at three different temperatures (4°C± 2°C, 22°C± 2°C, and 37°C ± 2°C). We evaluated stability at 0 hours (h), 4 h, 8 h, 24 h, 72 h, 96 h, 7 days, and 14 days post-exposure. SARS-CoV-2 was stable on skin through the duration of the experiment at 4°C (14 days). Virus remained stable on skin for at least 96 h at 22°C and for at least 8h at 37°C. There were minimal differences between the tested currency samples. The virus remained stable on the $1 U.S.A. Bank Note for at least 96 h at 4°C while we did not detect viable virus on the $20 U.S.A. Bank Note samples beyond 72 h. The virus remained stable on both Bank Notes for at least 8 h at 22°C and 4 h at 37°C. Clothing samples were similar in stability to the currency. Viable virus remained for at least 96 h at 4°C and at least 4 h at 22°C. We did not detect viable virus on clothing samples at 37°C after initial exposure. This study confirms the inverse relationship between virus stability and temperature. Furthermore, virus stability on skin demonstrates the need for continued hand hygiene practices to minimize fomite transmission both in the general population as well as in workplaces where close contact is common.

High prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among food delivery riders. A case study from Quito, Ecuador

“…Another option although highly implemented worldwide is to mandate online payments only. There are few studies that have shown the potential risk of handling money in terms of SARS-CoV-2 transmission ( Harbourt et al, 2020 ; Riddell et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Other strategies used are the strict use of new face masks, gloves, and hand sanitizers. Delivery workers should wear new face masks and gloves, and frequently apply hand sanitizers to minimize contamination with the novel coronavirus, the use of E-Wallet (i.e., digital) or credit card payment method to limit contact with delivery workers and it is also recommended that customers should discard the packaging as soon as possible and wash hands immediately after ( Harbourt et al, 2020 ; Lee, 2018 ; Martínez, 2019 ; Nguyen and Vu, n.d. ).…”

Indirect transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2): What do we know and what do we not know?

“…We do know that SARS-CoV-2 can survive on skin for hours (half-life of 3 to 5 hours at room temperature). 6,7 Assuming that the SARS-CoV-2-infected visitor leaves your office within the hour, the virus Downloaded from https://www.cambridge.org/core. 22 Feb 2021 at 01:03:18, subject to the Cambridge Core terms of use.…”

Modeling the Stability of SARS-CoV-2 on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

“…A 72-hour time frame was selected as it coincides with a common work schedule observed by many intensive care unit personnel (e.g., nurses) in the United States (three 12-hour shifts worked over three consecutive days of the week) who may need to reuse PPE day after day because of PPE shortages. Forceps were used to collect samples and place them into 2 mL tubes containing media as previously described, 5 after which forceps were disinfected between samples using 5% MicroChem™ Plus followed by 70% ethanol. Samples were then stored at −80°C before quantification of infectious virus.…”