Research That Will Remind The Importance Of Hand Washing: The Corona Virus On Banknotes Is Stronger Than Influenza

Photo illustration (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - The new corona virus that causes COVID-19 can survive on banknotes, glass and stainless steel for up to 28 days. Lasting longer than influenza viruses.

The results of the new study were announced by Australian researchers Monday, October 12. This condition again highlights the importance of cleaning and washing hands to eradicate the virus.

Researchers from Australia's national science agency, CSIRO, found that at 20 degrees Celsius, the SARS-COV-2 virus was still infecting for 28 days, especially on smooth surfaces, such as banknotes and cellphone screens. The research is published in the Virology Journal.

In comparison, the influenza A virus was found to last 17 days. CSIRO's research involves drying the virus in artificial mucus on various surfaces at the same concentration as samples from COVID-19 patients and then extracting the virus after a month.

Experiments carried out in a controlled laboratory environment at temperatures of 20, 30, and 40 degrees Celsius prove that the time the virus survives decreases with increasing temperature. Protein and fat in body fluids can also significantly increase the duration of survival.

"Determining how long the virus actually survives on the surface allows us to more accurately predict and reduce the spread of the virus and do a better job of protecting our communities," said CSIRO Chief Executive Larry Marshall.

"The research may also help explain the apparent viability and spread of SARS-CoV-2 in cool environments with high protein and lipid contamination, such as meat processing facilities, and help how we can better manage those risks," said Trevor Drew, director. CSIRO Australian Center for Disease Preparedness.

Australia has fared much better than most other wealthy nations in battling COVID-19, with a total of about 27,000 infections and 898 deaths among its population of around 25 million people.

The epicenter of Australia's second wave of COVID-19 infection, Victoria State, reported 15 new cases on Monday. The figure falls short of the target of under five cases set by the government to ease the tight lockdown in the capital Melbourne.