Prolonged Infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in Fomites

Abstract

We spotted severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 on polystyrene plastic, aluminum, and glass for 96 hours with and without bovine serum albumin (3 g/L). We observed a steady infectivity (<1 log₁₀ drop) on plastic, a 3.5 log₁₀ decrease on glass, and a 6 log₁₀ drop on aluminum. The presence of proteins noticeably prolonged infectivity.

Keywords: 2019 novel coronavirus disease; COVID-19; SARS; SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus; coronavirus disease; fomites; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; viruses; zoonoses.

Figure

Viability of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 on various surfaces and in suspension. Viruses were applied to glass (A), polystyrene plastic (B), and aluminum (C) at 45%–55% relative humidity at 19°C–21°C for 96 h. The titer of viable virus is expressed as TCID₅₀/mL of collection medium. All samples were quantified by endpoint titration on Vero E6 cells with a limit of detection of ≈10^0.5 TCID₅₀/mL. TCID₅₀, 50% tissue culture infectivity dose.