How long does it live on surfaces?

[cinderellastory]

FIL tested positive while staying with us. They live abroad so can't go home. I've taken our young DC's and gone to my parents.
FIL is staying in our bedroom all the time and using the en suite. He's still testing positive after a week.
How long does it live on surfaces? I'm a bit anxious about using the same bedding (as in the actual bedding not the covers which will obviously be washed) and also we have our newborn in that room with us so call me OTT but how long would you give it after they've gone before returning home?

It's air born.

Probably 20 mins.I'd maybe air the room out. He won't actually be very infectious towards the end of his isolation period, so the time for any 'live' particles will be longer than just 'when he leaves'. Even so, surface transmission is very low risk.

You have to really work at catching it from a surface or object. I’m the circumstances you discribe I would say it’s impossible after a few hours at the absolute most. It more about the air flow. Open the windows after they leave for half an hour.

It isn't transmitted via surfaces.

We stopped the hand gel drama quite some time ago.

I think once the room is aired, you'll be fine.

Covid is airborne, not transmitted by surface contact, so th risk is minimal, BUT especially if he had a fever, he's probably been quite sweaty, and unless you use a sheet AND duvet cover (and even then...), I'd be inclined to put the duvet and pillows in the washing machine myself.

Fomite transmission is absolutely minimal. Even if it lives on surfaces, it is highly unlikely to survive the transference to face. Soft surfaces were never considered to be a issue in the first place. You're absolutely fine.

It's on surfaces and active for up to two weeks! That's the data I saw, which is why we wash our hands and not touch our faces.

@Alonelonelylonersbadidea

It's on surfaces and active for up to two weeks! That's the data I saw, which is why we wash our hands and not touch our faces.

This just isn't true. A simple google search brings up study after study which have concluded that formite transmission is negligible.

@Alonelonelylonersbadidea - that is likely to be old data - I think they have pretty much discounted surface transmission as a significant cause. A good wipe over and wash of bedding and you'll be fine.

The infection risk from a COVID-19 contaminated environment decreases over time. It is not yet clear at what point there is no risk from the virus, however, studies suggest that, in non-healthcare settings, the risk of residual infectious virus is likely to be significantly reduced after 48 hours.

In situations where someone has symptoms of COVID-19, it is advised that you store personal waste for 72 hours as an additional precaution.
www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-decontamination-in-non-healthcare-settings/covid-19-decontamination-in-non-healthcare-settings

You can pick it up from contaminated surfaces...like you can with many respiratory viruses. But SARS-CoV-2 seems particularly robust on surfaces. I'm not sure why some of you think this isn't possible.

How long the virus remains viable is dependent partly on the surface its has contaminated and on the environmental conditions. It remains viable longer on plastic/metal surfaces, less so on cardboard/fabric.

I'd clean all your hard surfaces with an antiviral wipe/alcohol, open all the windows for a few hours and open the curtains to let the sunshine in. UV light is pretty effective at degrading the virus.

Broadly, the government website states, although studies are inconclusive, 48 hours and 72 hours to be on the safe side.

Yes it "survives " on surfaces but I thought evidence showed it was airborne not transmitted thru surfaces. So we stopped washing shopping, wiping door handles/fence posts/wiping school desks etc and instead focused on ventilating rooms.

This is a useful and clear explanation why fomite transmission is very unlikely

www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00251-4

It may survive on some surfaces (though not bedsheets), however it's too delicate to reliably survive a transfer to face.

It's an airborne virus and is very successful in infecting you that way.

There are more recent studies than the Lancet article (think I remember a systematic review last summer) showing there was a possibility of fomites transmission. But that notwithstanding, I don't think its worth getting overly concerned about it. A few hours of ventilation, sunshine and a good clean will most likely sort any residual virus knocking around.

If you were in the house with him in the day or two before he developed symptoms or tested positive, that's the time when you were most likely to catch it from him, if you are going to.

The risks from a room where the windows have been open and bedding that has been washed are far lower than that.

But how do your parents feel about you going to them when you've been a contact of someone going down with Covid?