“If a virus lands on something like a chair or table, it starts dying pretty quick,” explains Dr. The whole point of a virus is to invade a living host, hijack it and produce more virus babies. So when an infected person coughs and viral droplets land on surfaces around them, it’s not exactly the outcome that the virus had hoped for. Esper. “And it doesn’t last too long on fabric either, typically less than a day.” Figuring out COVID-19’s infectious dose “As you can imagine cardboard has little microscopic holes in it, so the virus doesn’t like it very much,” says Dr. So the risk of infection from touching something that had the virus on it for a few days (or even a few hours) would lessen the risk. It’s important to note that the amount of live virus decreases over time on surfaces. Here’s how long the virus typically lasts on common surfaces, but it can change depending on sanitation efforts, sunlight and temperature: The live virus can survive anywhere between a couple of hours to a couple of days. “It likes surfacesĮarly research has demonstrated that the virus’s survival depends on the type of surface it lands on. Microscopic little grooves, nooks or crannies,” explains Dr. Virus typically doesn’t like to live on surfaces that have a lot of holes or (Those mangy freeloaders!) We asked infectious disease specialist Frank Esper, MD, to weigh in on how long the coronavirus can survive on surfaces. Still, viral particles continue making their rounds. (Hence why health officials are screaming at us not to touch our faces and to wash our hands.)
Often times, people’s hands can transport the viral particles to different surfaces, even the face, where it can enter your body through your eyes, mouth or nose. (Hey, another reason to wear a face mask!) A healthy person can then unknowingly touch those surfaces and the next thing you know – the virus has gotten a free ride to wherever and whatever the person touches next. While COVID-19 is mainly spread by inhaling tiny droplets released when an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes, large droplets can also land on surfaces. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.
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