The virus strain that triggers COVID-19 will live in cold, dark environments for up to 28 days, scientists discovered in a recent study. These are found on items such as banknotes and phones.

Researchers checked the durability of SARS-CoV-2 in the dark at 3 temperatures in laboratory conditions. According to Australian scientists, the viral strain showing survival rates decreased as conditions grew hotter.

They noted that SARS-CoV-2 remained "highly stable" on smooth surfaces at 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit). It usually lasts for almost a month on mobile phones, glass, steel, and plastic banknotes, researchers claimed.

The survival rate fell to 7 days at 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit). It plummeted to just 24 hours at 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).

The virus lived on soft surfaces like cotton for shorter times. According to researchers, the virus could stay for up to 14 to 16 days at the lowest temperatures.

Researchers reiterate the importance of handwashing

According to the paper reported in the peer-reviewed Virology Journal, this was "significantly longer" than previous studies. Other researches claim that COVID-19 could live for up to 4 days on non-porous surfaces.

Trevor Drew, director of the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, said the analysis included drying samples of the virus on various surfaces. The team used a "highly responsive" process that detected evidence of live viruses capable of infecting colonies of cells.

"This doesn't mean to say that that amount of virus would be capable of infecting someone," he told public broadcaster ABC.

He added the person could be infected by COVID-19 virus if the person "carelessly touched" infected products and then touched their face.

Lead researcher Shane Riddell reiterates the importance of washing and sanitizing hands where possible and wiping down surfaces that may contact the virus.

How does coronavirus spread from surface to human?

The researchers gave beneficial results, according to Professor Julie Leask of University of Sydney. However, the scientists needed to place their study into context.

According to Leask, the research essentially confirms that surfaces can be a means of spreading coronavirus. Still, she suggested that researchers look at the epidemiology about how it applies in daily life between individuals.

She underscored the evidence of already near communication with an infected individual who is unsafe who does not use their cell phone five days after.

Nobody has fully understood the contagious dose of COVID-19 yet. However, researchers believe the virus strain have about 300 particles, based on similar viruses.

If the virus was put on smooth surfaces at the usual mucus concentration of an infected individual, researchers said that "enough virus will live comfortably for two weeks before infecting another individual."

CSIRO stated that various variables, including the virus's structure, the form of surface, and whether the virus is liquid or dry, will rely on the infection.

The analysis may also help understand the virus's unmistakable presence and propagation in cool settings such as meat-packing plants, it added.

People 'far, far more infectious'

Drew noted some caveats in the research. He said they performed the research with set virus levels that were likely to reflect a normal outbreak's height. There was no sensitivity to ultraviolet light that could destroy the virus rapidly.

Researchers kept the humidity at 50%, the report said. Humidity changes, according to scientists, affect the COVID-19 strain.

The virus tends to transmit mainly through air, according to the CSIRO. However, scientists need further study to provide more insight into the propagation of the virus through surfaces.

Drew told the ABC the critical point remains that "infectious persons are far, far more infectious than surfaces."

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