Coronavirus lingers in the air for several hours, and on surfaces for several days

(Patria) – The new, highly virulent coronavirus that has turned into a pandemic remains infectious in airborne droplets for several hours, and on surfaces even for several days, a new study has shown.

Scientists from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at the U.S. National Institutes of Health attempted to simulate the virus being transferred from an infected person to surfaces commonly used in households or hospitals through coughing or contact.

The test showed that the virus is transmitted in droplets released when someone sneezes or coughs, and that it remains in the air for at least three hours while staying infectious.

Regarding the virus's behavior on surfaces, it was found that it persists on plastic and metal surfaces for up to three days. On cardboard, however, it does not last longer than 24 hours, while it persists the shortest on copper – up to 4 hours.

In terms of the virus's half-life, this research team determined that for viruses in an airborne droplet, it takes about 66 minutes for half of the viral particles to lose function. This means that after another hour and 6 minutes, three-quarters of the viral particles become inactive, but 25% continue to survive.

After the third hour, the amount of active virus drops to 12.5%, the institute's research found.

On metal, viral particles lose activity after 5 hours and 38 minutes, and on plastic after 6 hours and 49 minutes.

The virus becomes non-functional fastest on copper, after 46 minutes, Reuters reports.