We all know that the virus known as COVID-19 survives for more or less time, depending on the surrounding temperature. Studies demonstrate the followings:
At 40ºC of surrounding temperature the virus survives:
on Cotton – less than 16 hours
on Glass, Steel, Paper and Banknotes – about 24 hours
on Vinyl – at least 48 hours
At 30ºC of surrounding temperature the virus survives:
on Cotton and Vinyl – at least 3 days
on Glass, Steel and Paper – at least 7 days
on Banknotes – about 21 days
At 20ºC of surrounding temperature the virus survives:
on Cotton – less than 14 days
on Glass, Steel, Paper, Vinyl and Banknotes – at least 28 days
The Air Rescue Team of FEMERAID International – the health service institution of the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta, Federation of the Autonomous Priories (KMFAP) – analysed these data and came to the conclusion that for every 10ºC of decrease of the surrounding temperature the virus increases its resistance by 400% or more on the surfaces studied, so now we can understand the challenges that the coming winter will bring to us all and we can also understand the importance and the need of observing strict measures of prevention.
Furthermore, CDC has determined the minimum number of viral particles to be infectious and to contaminate another person, and that amount is more and less 1000 Vp (viral particles). They also determined the amount of Vp generated in the following actions:
• Breathing – more and less 20 Vp per minute
• Talking – more and less 2000 Vp per minute
• Cough – more and less 200 million Vp (may remain floating in the air for hours in closed space)
• Sneeze – more and less 200 million Vp Be with someone more than 2 meters less than 45 minutes pose a lower risk. Talking face to face to someone less than 4 minutes pose a lower risk. Shopping pose medium risk. Closed spaces, public toilets, restaurants, cinemas, buses, schools and offices are consider high risk due to the ventilation.
Please take into considerations the following factors: exterior vs. interior, confine spaces vs. open spaces, low density of people vs. high density of people, reduce exposure time vs. long exposure times.
20th October 2020