Until now, Covid-19 experts believed that the coronavirus was transmitted only by air and manually – via sputum, sneezing, cough … – but according to a study conducted jointly by the Center National Institute of Infectious Diseases of Singapore and the DSO National Laboratories, and published this Wednesday, March 4, 2020, Covid-19 could (also) persist in the environment.
To reach this conclusion, between the end of January 2020 and the beginning of February 2020, the researchers closely monitored the rooms of 3 patients with the coronavirus and kept in isolation. One of the rooms, occupied by a patient showing only minor symptoms of the Covid-19 coronavirus, was analyzed before cleaning. Verdict? The patient concerned had contaminated 13 of the 15 surfaces studied: chair, bed, window, floor, toilet bowl, sink, ventilation grilles …
Coronavirus: it does not survive careful disinfection (phew)
The other two rooms, occupied by patients more seriously affected by Covid-19, were analyzed after disinfection: the researchers then found no trace of the virus.
Conclusion of scientists? For the Covid-19 virus, the environment constitutes a “potential transmission medium“: Since viral traces were found in the toilet, scientists even believe that the coronavirus could be transmitted via the stool. It should be noted that the viruses of gastroenteritis and influenza can also be transmitted via a contaminated environment Good news: the Covid-19 coronavirus would not be able to survive careful cleaning with a conventional disinfectant substance.
The advice of the pros. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends: ” If you think a surface may be infected, clean it with a regular disinfectant to kill the virus, protect yourself and others. Wash your hands with a hydroalcoholic solution or with soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose. “
Sources:
Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)
World Health Organization (WHO)
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