BBC. Research shows that the coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, can remain contagious for up to 28 days. According to the Australian National Science Agency, the virus may live longer than previously thought.

Previous laboratory studies have shown that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can live for two to three days on a banknote or glass surface and up to six days in plastic and steel. A recent study by the Australian body Cicero found that the virus was highly contagious and could live for 28 days at a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius on several surfaces.

Ron Eckels, a former head professor at Cardiff University’s Common Cold Center, criticized the research. “Even on the surface, the virus is transmitted by mucus or sputum particles and dirty fingers. This research has not studied such virus-carrying particles, ” added Professor Ekle.

Last year, Monica Gandhi, a professor of medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, said the coronavirus did not spread from the surface. She mentioned, “At the beginning of the epidemic, there was a great fear of transmission through surface or inanimate objects but now we know that the main reason for this is not touching any surface. It is when someone unknowingly gets close to the virus that is coming out of their nose or mouth.”

Research by Australian authorities has shown that the virus can survive for a short time at higher temperatures as it was found to be inactive after 24 hours on some surfaces at a temperature of 40 degrees. Also, the virus remained on the surface for a long time without any holes but in small perforated items such as clothing, the virus has not been active for more than 14 days.

Researchers said that their long-term exposure to the virus in cold temperatures could explain how COVID-19 spread to meat processing centers. Thousands of workers were found infected at such centers around the world. Other reasons for this include working conditions, cold and humid conditions, and loud noises due to machine noise.

Australian researchers have found that the virus can be found in fresh or frozen foods, as in previous studies. The World Health Organization (WHO) stated, “There has been no confirmation of any transmission of COVID-19 in food packages.” They also suggested some precautionary measures to prevent the infection from spreading.