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Coronavirus information and references

Disclaimer: The following is information often based on one or a few science journal publications. It is presented here for your review. You will need to consult the original science journal article for details end explanations.

Droplets vs airborne transmission in COVID-19 (WHO March 2020)

Helps explain the 6 ft social distancing and variances in droplet vs aerosol data. Droplets fall rapidly due to gravity whereas aerosols float and remain in air up to several hours.
WHO-March 2020Download

Aerosol and Surface Stability of SARS-CoV-2 as Compared with SARS-CoV-1

Evidence suggests, according to scientists, that people may be spreading the virus without knowing.” Most secondary cases of virus transmission appear to be occurring in community settings rather than healthcare settings,” the study said. “The scientists found that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was detectable in aerosols for up to three hours, up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to two to three days on plastic and stainless steel,” the National Institutes of Health said.  The approximate half-life of viable virus ranged from 5-6 hours on plastics and stainless steel. This data likely simulates worst case scenarios.  And, how exposure to sunlight, heat, or cold, can affect Covid 19 survival times is not known yet.

van Doremalen et al march 2020Download

Survival of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus

Note effectiveness (although ≤ 10 x 2) of just detergents
Lai et al 2005Download

Survival of Influenza Virus on Banknotes

2008-Thomas-et alDownload

Survival of Influenza A (H1N1) on Materials Found in Households: Implications for Infection Control

In contrast a study from 2011 found the H1N1 flu remained infectious for up to 48h after landing on non-porous surfaces such as stainless steel or plastic, however, most virus particles were inactivated after nine hours. Both cold and flu viruses survive for much shorter times on porous surfaces such as cloth, paper, or tissue, with very little infectious virus remaining after four hours.

Influenza Virus survival on surfaces
Greatorex et al 2011Download

Warmer temperatures inactivate virus faster

It appears that the coronavirus is inactivated at warmer/hotter temperatures than cold. This may be the reason flu viruses are seasonal and taper off in the summer (warmer) months.

https://www.journalofhospitalinfection.com/article/S0195-6701(20)30046-3/fulltext

Dryer environments inactivate virus faster

It appears that the coronavirus is inactivated at lower relative humidities and on surfaces that may dry faster. Keep in mind if this were completely true, then we should see less influenza cases in dry climate areas of the country and I believe that is not the case.

https://www.journalofhospitalinfection.com/article/S0195-6701(20)30046-3/fulltext

Physical interventions to interrupt or reduce the spread of respiratory viruses

It appears that frequent hand washing, wearing a mask, gloves and gown COMBINED is very effective in reducing the spread of respiratory viruses.

InterventionEffectiveness (%)
Freq. hand washing (≥ 10 x day)55
Wearing face mask68
Wearing N95 face mask91
Wearing gloves57
Wearing gown77
Hand washing, mask, gloves, and gown91
Jefferson, et al 2007Download

Stability and inactivation of SARS Coronavirus

Testing various sanitizers against SARS

Thermal inactivation of SARS-CoV at 56 and 60C is highly effective; however, in the presence of protein (20%), infectivity was only reduced by less than 2log10 at 56C after 30 min (and also after 60 min).

Rabenau et al 2005Download

Human Coronaviruses: Insights into Environmental Resistance and Its Influence on the Development of New Antiseptic Strategies

A possible mitigation strategy? Can turning off the AC coupled with a dehumidifier reduce virus survival??
Geller et al 2012Download

EPA Emerging Viral Pathogen Program

Anti-microbials effective against a virus in groups 1 or 2 are considered effective against group 3 (Corona viruses)
EPA 2020Download

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