A study carried out in the rooms of affected patients shows that the virus can survive on certain surfaces. Proper cleaning with a disinfectant can make it disappear.
The new coronavirus worries. Hundreds of scientists are mobilized around the world, they seek to better understand the virus to effectively fight against. On the specialized site JAMA, researchers from Singapore publish a study on the survival of the virus in the environment. They found that the rooms of sick people remain contaminated with Covid-19 when they are not cleaned.
Traces of the virus remain
The study started from an observation: in Chinese hospitals, the virus has spread. Between the end of January and the beginning of February, they scanned the rooms of three patients placed in confinement. One of them was tested before cleaning, while the other two were not. Of the 15 surfaces analyzed in this room, 13 were contaminated with Covid-19, including the floor, the window, the bed and a chair. Traces of the virus were found on the toilet bowl and in the sink.
Cleaning is effective
On the other hand, no trace of the virus was found in the two cleaned rooms, while the patients residing there presented more serious symptoms. This proves that disinfection measures are effective in eradicating the virus. Both rooms had been cleaned twice with disinfectants.
How long can he survive?
For the moment, the scientific community is struggling to determine with certainty the lifespan of the virus in the open air. It is impossible to know how long a piece of furniture or the subway bar can remain contaminated. It is essential to thoroughly clean the rooms frequented by people affected and to wash your hands regularly. According to doctor Charles Chiu, professor of infectious diseases at the University of California (United States), when asked about CNNthe coronavirus may be “effectively destroys using products containing between 62 and 71% ethanol, 0.5% hydrogen peroxide or 0.1% sodium hypochlorite for one minute”. These chemical compounds are present in cleaning products used for disinfection.
In France, more than 400 people have been infected with Covid-19 since January. Worldwide, more than 100,000 cases have been recorded.
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