Aerosol and Surface Stability of SARS-CoV-2 as Compared with SARS-CoV-1
Data from 10 experimental conditions involving the SARS CoV-2 and CoV-1 viruses found that the stability of these was similar. Authors state that this indicates that differences in the epidemiologic characteristics of these viruses probably arise from other factors.
Source:
New England Journal of Medicine
SPS commentary:
Other factors might include high viral loads in the upper respiratory tract and the potential for persons infected with SARS-CoV-2 to shed and transmit the virus while asymptomatic. Authors suggest these results indicate that aerosol and fomite transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is plausible, since the virus can remain viable and infectious in aerosols for hours and on surfaces up to days (depending on the inoculum shed).