Estimation SARS-COV-2 viability in time on experimental surfaces over

Nikiforova, M. A.; Siniavin, A. E.; Shidlovskaya, E. V.; Kuznetsova, N. A.; Gushchin, V. A.

Infected SARS-CoV-2 virus occurs not only through contact with an infected person, but also through surfaces with wich the illnes has contacted. The problem of preserving an infectious virus over time capable of infecting remains actual. We evaluated the SARS-CoV-2 viability preservation on different model surfaces over time. Ceramic tiles, metal (aluminum foil), wood (chipboard), plastic and cloth (towel) were used as model materials. Assessment of the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was carried out by quantitative RT-PCR. Viable virus was determined by tissue culture assay on 293T/ACE2 cells. It was found that the SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected on all studied surfaces for 360 minutes, but a significant decrease RNA by 1 log10 copies/ml was detected after contact of the virus with cloth (towel). While the viability of the virus was completely lost after 120 minutes. Type of experimental surface significantly affects viability preservation.