The SARS - CoV-2 virus responsible for Covid-19 has infectedover 7.4 million peopleand have the death of more than400,000 people . Now , researchers have put out a study investigating how fast a desoxyribonucleic acid computer virus can spread out on contaminated surfaces in a hospital setting .
As describe in theJournal of Hospital Infections , researcher place DNA from a works - infecting computer virus on a hospital bed railing and cut across how it spread . The virus used is completely harmless to humans . The team also added a small amount of water to the virus to replicate the denseness found in SARS - CoV-2 copy of septic patient role .
After 10 hours , the plant - infect computer virus was chance in 41 pct of the sampled areas across the ward . After three days , it covered 59 pct of sites and on the fifth day strike down back down to 41 per centum . The study illustrate the grandness of cleanup surfaces and good hygiene but does not determine whether SARS - CoV-2 would actually diffuse that way .
give how refreshing SARS - CoV-2 is , there are still many unknown region regarding its propagate mechanics . This is why there is a major focus on wide - reaching practiced practices such as masks , physical distancing , goggles , and washing hand , whichhave been shown to helpkeep the virus at bay .
“ People can become infect with Covid-19 through respiratory droplet produced during coughing or sneezing . Equally , if these droplets land on a surface , a person may become infected after coming into contact with the control surface and then touching their eyes , nose or mouth , ” atomic number 27 - author Dr Elaine Cloutman - Green , a lead healthcare scientist at the Great Ormond Street Hospital , tell in astatement .
The high proportion of virus DNA was found in the immediate vicinity of the bed . By the third day , 86 per centum of the region near the bed examine positive .
“ Like SARS - CoV-2 , the surrogate we used for the work could be removed with a disinfectant wipe or by washing hands with soap and water , ” Dr Cloutman - Green continued . “ Cleaning and handwashing interpret our first line of defense against the virus and this work is a significant reminder that healthcare workers and all visitors to a clinical mise en scene can help block its banquet through strict hand hygienics , cleaning of control surface , and proper use of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) . ”
