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Case Reports
. 2021 May:106:1-2.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.03.052. Epub 2021 Mar 18.

How long can SARS-CoV-2 persist in human corpses?

Mario Gabbrielli  1 , Claudia Gandolfo  2 , Gabriele Anichini  2 , Tommaso Candelori  1 , Matteo Benvenuti  1 , Gianni Gori Savellini  2 , Maria Grazia Cusi  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

How long can SARS-CoV-2 persist in human corpses?

Mario Gabbrielli et al. Int J Infect Dis. 2021 May.

Abstract

We report the finding of the SARS-CoV-2 genome in the corpse of an exhumed infected person, one month after her death. The viral gene targets were still present in her lungs and heart, however, the virus was no longer alive. Infectious risks from human corpses should be considered.

Keywords: Autopsy; SARS-CoV-2; SARS-CoV-2 tissue persistence.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Competing Interest The authors report no declarations of interest.

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