CLEVELAND — This is among the most-asked questions we’ve been receiving here at 3News: How long can coronavirus live on a surface?
Since so many of you have asked, we talked with Dr. Brook Watts from MetroHealth to get the answer. Here's what she had to say:
“I know this is a very popular question right now because of some recent scientific evidence that came out. This question, though, makes me take a timeout. It can last for a long time on a lot of different surfaces. How does that matter for you? I’m not sure it matters. When we talk about risk from this virus, it’s risk of being coughed and sneezed on by someone who is infected. That’s the number one reason for transmission. I hope folks don’t take this little bit of evidence and get too worried about some of the very nuanced details. This thing about how we pick it up from surfaces really is probably not a large part of how we see transmission."
Dr. Watts said this is why the basic suggestion of washing your hands is so important.
"Doesn’t change the advice we’re giving you in general," she said. W"ash your hands. If you’re sick, stay home. If you cough or sneeze, cover up.”