The coronavirus remains active on human skin for as long as nine hours, a new research by Japanese scientists, published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases claims. In contrast, the flu-causing pathogen survives on human skin for about 1.8 hours, the study said.
SARS-CoV-2's ability to survive for 9 hours on human skin may enhance the risk of contact transmission. The flu virus and the coronavirus are inactivated within 15 seconds of applying ethanol, found in santizers, they claimed.
Backing World Health Organisation's advice, the study concluded by adding that hand hygiene may reduce the risk, and stressed on the need to wash hands frequently to combat Covid-19.