July 13, 2020

Factors Affecting Stability and Infectivity of SARS-CoV-2

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Transmission

• Chan et al. studied the concentration of viable (able to infect tissue culture) SARS-CoV-2 after exposure to a range of environmental conditions using the TCID50 assay. They found that SARS-CoV-2 retained viability for 3-5 days when dried and for 7 days when in solution at room temperature. Survival improved at lower temperatures and declined at higher temperatures. The virus also remained viable at a range of pH values, but lost infectivity at pH extremes. Similarly, the virus quickly lost infectivity in watery stool over a 3–day period. The authors found that common laboratory and domestic disinfectants effectively inactivate SARS-CoV-2, as did procedures used to prepare serum for immunoassays and to fix slides for processing in a Biosafety Level 2 laboratory. 

Chan et al. (July 2020). Factors Affecting Stability and Infectivity of SARS-CoV-2. The Journal of Hospital Infection. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2020.07.009