Homes with SARS-CoV-2 On Surfaces
People have different views about the spread of COVID-19 in the air, let alone about the spread that can take place from touching surfaces. I would venture to say that most of us accept the established fact that wearing facemasks and practicing social distancing can reduce the risk of the spread of the virus. But what about possibly contracting the virus from surfaces in the home?
This topic has not been as widely understood. In a recent study done by Maestre, Jarma, Yu, Siegel et al. (2020) the surfaces containing SARS-CoV-2 through the dust and surfaces of two Covid-19 positive patients recuperating at home was inspected two months after symptom onset and one month after recuperation. They found 46% of the 24 surface samples taken in various spaces throughout the home to be positive at the time of testing.
Virus Persisting On Surface
While the detection of SARS-CoV-2 was found to be positive in almost half of the samples of surfaces taken, it cannot be concluded that it would translate to being infectious. However, we can conclude that the virus can persist on surfaces even a month after symptoms have been resolved. Although this may not translate to infectious, I personally would rather be safe than sorry.
Air Purifiers?
That is just one more reason why I am glad I’ve got a purifier that has been proven to clean the air and surfaces of SARS-CoV-2 down to the molecular level. The air purifier I use covers a home or office of up to 3,000 square feet and using RCI technology. Now, I just wish all the homes and offices I go into would have one too! In the meantime, I recommend wearing gloves and washing hands frequently as another method of precaution.
Distribution of SARS-CoV-2 RNA Signal in a Home with COVID-19 Positive Occupants
JuanP. Maestre, David Jarma, Cesca Yu, Jeff Siegel, Sharon Horner, Kerry A. Kinney
medRxiv 2020.11.30.20234393; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.11.30.20234393
