May 21, 2020

Simulated Sunlight Rapidly Inactivates SARS-CoV-2 on Surfaces

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions

• Simulated sunlight rapidly inactivates SARS-CoV-2 that is suspended in simulated saliva, culture media, and dried on stainless steel surfaces. 99% of infectious virus was inactivated after 6.8 minutes in saliva and 14.3 minutes in culture media. These findings indicate exposure risk may vary between indoor and outdoor environments. 

Ratnesar-Shumate et al. (May 20, 2020). Simulated Sunlight Rapidly Inactivates SARS-CoV-2 on Surfaces. The Journal of Infectious Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaa274