NJ Advance Media has launched a daily coronavirus question, a service in which our reporters provide answers to commonly asked questions about the epidemic that has hit hard in New Jersey.
Today’s coronavirus question is answered by Dr. David Cennimo, an infectious disease specialist who teaches at the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.
Q: How long does the virus live on surfaces?
A: It’s still unknown. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently updated its guidance to note that the coronavirus doesn’t spread easily from surfaces, although it can nonetheless live on them. But, according to Cennimo, researchers don’t yet know the true length of time the virus can remain on surfaces because the growth rather than detection of a virus is a stronger indicator of its existence. In other words, how long a virus exists on a surface is ascertained by “taking the virus, putting it on a surface, and picking it back up and attempting to put it in a cell culture to see if it will grow” — a complex process for which conclusive answers have yet to be produced.
PREVIOUS CORONAVIRUS QUESTIONS
Is it safe to ride in elevators?
Can the virus be spread from swimming?
If I already had the coronavirus, am I now immune to it?
Is a face mask really effective in preventing the spread of the virus?
If you would like to submit a question about the coronavirus, please email your question to coronavirus2020@njadvancemedia.com.
Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.
Caroline Fassett may be reached at cfassett@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.