COVID is not primarily spread through surfaces, Dr. Baker says. For example, wear gloves and make sure there's good airflow in the room. For additional information and details on methodology for the research on the impact of temperature and relative humidity on SARS-CoV-2 decay on surfaces, please see the article titled. Without cleaning and disinfection, the COVID-19 virus may stay on surfaces from hours to days. Regular household washing machines typically only go up to about 130 degrees on their hottest setting. Mayo Clinic Minute: How dirty are common surfaces? U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, NIH Institute and Center Contact Information, Novel Coronavirus Structure Reveals Targets for Vaccines and Treatments, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak, About Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Thats why its important to wash or disinfect your hands, which are most likely to come into contact with contaminated surfaces. And you likely already have all that you need in your home to get the job done. Follow the tips below. Rhinoviruses, which cause colds, survive for hours. Remember that it's important to follow CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Then, they absent-mindedly bite their nails while waiting in line at checkout. Even though SARS-CoV-2 can become inactivated in hours to days, the exact dose that can lead to an infection still isnt known. It's important to note that the amount of live virus decreases over time on surfaces. Users can find the environmental conditions for a specific location by accessing general weather resources online. Coronavirus also doesnt particularly like to be out in the elements. DOI: Cleaning and disinfection for households. A man and woman wear face masks to ward off the coronavirus. Cleveland Clinic 1995-2023. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Here's What Experts Think, More Than 200,000 Deaths Due Coronavirus in the USHere's Everything You Need to Know. A few studies have been performed on how long the new coronavirus, known as SARS-CoV-2, can live on surfaces. They compared the results to that of the closely related SARS-CoV-1, which was responsible for the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2002-2004. However, it was rapidly inactivated when incubated at 70C (158F). The report describes an artificial situation in which researchers smeared surfaces with virus; that is not likely to occur in real life and under the conditions of a typical grocery store visit.. On the other hand, it indicates that the major differences in the epidemiology of these viruses probably arise from other factorsespecially the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to be transmitted by people not exhibiting clear symptoms.. COVID-19: Caring for someone sick at home. Survival of coronaviruses in water and wastewater. on steel . If the sick person is unable to clean, wear a mask and use gloves to clean and disinfect their area only when needed. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. This content does not have an English version. Here, three infectious disease doctors give their thoughts. The CDC also . However, it is important to learn all we can about how COVID-19 spreads to determine the most effective ways to protect ourselves. Viruses can definitely be impacted by factors like temperature and humidity. Accessed Feb. 23, 2022. Frequent, thorough hand-washing and wearing a well-fitted face mask in indoor public spaces if you're in an area with a high number of people with COVID-19 in the hospital and new COVID-19 cases, whether or not you're vaccinated, also may reduce your risk of infection. 5B52, MSC 2094 household cleaning products or EPA-registered disinfectants, cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cleaning-disinfection.html, hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/coronavirus-and-5-questions-about-safe-snacking, fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/food-safety-and-availability-during-coronavirus-pandemic, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7091381/, wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/26/7/20-0885_article, cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-covid-spreads.html, who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses, cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/water.html, How Much Time You Spend Washing Your Hands Makes a Difference, How the Novel Coronavirus Spreads in Public Places and How to Protect Yourself. Accessed Feb. 23, 2022. Official websites use .gov We asked infectious disease specialist Frank Esper, MD, to weigh in on how long the coronavirus can survive on surfaces. Written by Marisa Taylor Karas | Reviewed by Preeti Parikh, MD. If it does get into the water supply, your local water treatment plant filters and disinfects the water, which should kill any germs. When someone with coronavirus sneezes or coughs, the droplets can fall onto a surrounding surface. No recommendations have been issued to suggest you shouldn't hand-wash clothes at home, but you'll get a much higher temperature if you use a machineand a high temperature is part of the CDC's machine-washing recommendations. Studies conducted in laboratories provide valuable information, however, thinking about conditions we experience in actual life is also important. We dont know if these findings always apply in the real world, but we can use them as a guideline. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): How is it transmitted? When doing laundry, you can use your regular detergent. Your body has defense mechanisms that can rapidly shut down an infection, so for the virus to successfully cause an infection it must overwhelm that initial step., Instead of obsessing over the lifespan of COVID on surfaces, the doctors say what would be more helpful is to be diligent about getting vaccinated and boosted. These times will vary under real-world conditions, depending on factors including temperature, humidity, ventilation, and the amount of virus deposited. The surfaces that the Public Health Agency of Canada recommends cleaning most often are: toys, toilets, phones, electronics, door handles, bedside tables and television remotes. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. The hospitals general ward, which had people with milder cases, was less contaminated than the ICU. How worrisome are these findings? For all the reasons outlined above, you should not be worried about viral contamination of your hair or beard if you are practicing . Asadi S, et al. A new study has revealed that the coronavirus can linger on polyester fabric for up to three days, and 24 hours on 100% cotton. Its always a good rule of thumb to wash fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly with clean water, particularly if you plan to eat them raw. PMID: 32182409. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that over 15% of norovirus tests are coming back positive. Scientists have found viruses similar to the strain that causes Covid-19 can survive on commonly-worn fabrics for up to three days. The first study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). If a virus lands on something like a chair or table, it starts dying pretty quick, explains Dr. Esper. COVID is a virus that spreads in the air. How Long Does It Take to Receive COVID-19 Test Results? The findings underscore the importance of hand washing and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces. Carlos Jasso/Reuters. With exposure to sunlight (UV 1.5-12): temperature 68F and relative humidity 20%. Disinfecting can help kill any remaining germs. Enveloped viruses like coronaviruses are very sensitive to conditions in the environment and can quickly lose stability over time. But the NIH study found that the Sars-CoV-2 virus survives for longer on cardboard - up to 24 hours - and up to 2-3 days on plastic and stainless-steel surfaces. Viruses can live for a time on surfaces outside the human body. But suppose you've been out in public (to a shop, for instance), and people around you haven't been adhering to the CDC's social distancing guidelines (in other words, staying a minimum of 6 feet away from other people who don't live in your household). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Is this safe? Clean with a product that is suitable for each surface. Here's how long the virus typically lasts on common surfaces, but it can change depending on sanitation efforts, sunlight and temperature: Glass - 5 days. It remained infectious for up to 24 hours on cardboard and four hours on copper. FoodExamples: takeout, produceCoronavirus doesn't seem to spread through food. If you wait 3 days after the person in your household was sick, no extra cleaning (besides routine cleanup) is necessary. Types of B-Cell Therapy for MS. 5 Health Benefits of Hemp. Spread of COVID-19 occurs via airborne particles and droplets. American Chemistry Council. Focus on high-touch surfaces. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. By Debbie Koenig. This is why the researchers found that the COVID particles on surfaces drastically reduced after 24 hours. Whether virus particles penetrate the fabric covers depends on the size of the particle and how densely the fabric is weaved. N Engl J Med. Dr. Gandhi points to past research showing that transmission of the virus through indirect contact (like touching a surface that someone with COVID previously touched) is unlikely. These are things that you or others in your household touch frequently during your daily activities. This means we can learn from our experiences with SARS in 2002-2004 to gain insights into infection control, especially in healthcare settings. All Rights Reserved. Can You Get COVID-19 From Secondhand Smoke? You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. What Is COVID 'Hygiene Theater,' and Can It Hurt, Rather Than Help? For the study, scientists purposely put the COVID virus on food packaging for drinks, pastries, fruit, canned goods, drink cartons and other items. If Someone in Your Household Has COVID-19 If you live with someone who has COVID-19 or have had a guest with a positive case in your home within 24 hours, disinfect your house in addition to. This includes: Its unknown exactly how long SARS-CoV-2 can survive in water. And to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, avoid close contact with those who are sick and stay home if you are sick yourself. The researchers behind the new study tested the virus' life span in a 71-degree-Fahrenheit room at 65% relative humidity. Assuming that you wear clothes, you may have been wondering how long the COVID-19 coronavirus may stay on your various garments. Rinse well and dry your hands with a clean towel, or let them air-dry. Follow the instructions on the product label. Mayo Clinic Minute: You're washing your hands all wrong. There are steps you can take to mitigate against this. Viruses similar to coronavirus don't survive well on porous surfaces. Some examples of common paper products include: The Lancet study found that no viable virus could be found on printing paper or tissue paper after 3 hours. .chakra .wef-10kdnp0{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;}What is the World Economic Forum doing about the coronavirus outbreak? The coronavirus that was tested was more stable at lower water temperatures and less stable at higher temperatures. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Coronavirus Transmission: What You Need to Know. Apply soap and lather well. We dont know yet how long the virus can live in food and water. Can Animals Get Coronavirus? But why exactly is this? For example, in one study, researchers swabbed the surfaces in hospitals that patients who tested positive for COVID touched. Mayo Clinic; 2022. One study from November of 2020 published in the PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases journal found that while the viable virus was present on the skin for up to four days, on clothing, the virus survived for less than eight hours. Clean after you've had visitors. However, the actual amount of virus (titer) was found to have dropped drastically after 48 hours on this surface. It was updated on August 5, 2020, to reflect new information about this rapidly evolving situation. After all, it might have been a couple of years since you thought about the virus in this way. And so can cleaning high-touch surfaces in your home and disinfecting when appropriate. It can also spread to other surfaces via Search This can be done using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. The scientists found that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was detectable in aerosols for up to three hours, up to four hours on copper, up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to two to three days on plastic and stainless steel. According to a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can live in the air and on surfaces between several hours and several days. Covid-19 and other similar strains of virus can survive on clothing and transmit to other surfaces for up to 72 hours, a new study has concluded By Iain Leggat 24th Feb 2021, 2:02pm - 3 min read According to the CDC, you can use household cleaning products or EPA-registered disinfectants to clean household surfaces. Suddenly a mysterious, terrifying new virus was taking over the entire world, leading everyone to fashion whatever they had available to make masks, hand sanitize obsessively and wipe down groceries as soon as they were brought home. ', Cleveland Clinic: How Long Will Coronavirus Survive on Surfaces?, Houston Methodist: How Long Can Coronavirus Survive on Packages?, Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials: Can Coronavirus Live on the Bottoms of Shoes?, Mayo Clinic: Can COVID-19 (coronavirus) spread through food, water, surfaces and pets?, Hackensack Meriden Health: How Long Does Coronavirus Last On Clothes?, Environmental Research: Contamination of inert surfaces by SARS-CoV-2: Persistence, stability and infectivity. MetalExamples: doorknobs, jewelry, silverware5-9 days, Stainless steelExamples: refrigerators, pots and pans, sinks, some water bottles2 to 3 days, CardboardExamples: shipping boxes24 hours, CopperExamples: pennies, teakettles, cookware4 hours, AluminumExamples: soda cans, tinfoil, water bottles2 to 8 hours, GlassExamples: drinking glasses, measuring cups, mirrors, windowsUp to 5 days, CeramicsExamples: dishes, pottery, mugs5 days. Theres no doubt that mask-wearing and sanitizing are both important for stopping the spread of COVID. I would prioritize wiping down high touch surfaces and surfaces in areas with a higher density of individuals at high risk of severe disease, to help protect those individuals from getting infected.. Live Better With Psoriatic Disease. Most of the other variants tested, including Alpha, Beta,. Chart: Survival of Coronaviruses on Surfaces at Room Temperature (68-72F) Material. "Extra heat, and time in the dryer, do make sense, as the droplets should dry out, which would likely inactivate the virus.". Policy. We further investigated the stability of this virus on different surfaces. The whole point of a virus is to invade a living host, hijack it and produce more virus babies. All rights reserved. The new coronavirus seems to be able to survive the longest on plastic and stainless steel potentially as long as three days on these surfaces. The scientists tested the viruses on plastic, stainless steel, copper, and cardboard. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. FabricsExamples: clothes, linensTheres not much research about how long the virus lives on fabric, but its probably not as long as on hard surfaces. 2 years into the pandemic, burning questions remain about COVID-19 . Science Brief: SARS-CoV-2 and surface (fomite) transmission for indoor community environments. This article was originally published on April 24, 2020. If You Haven't Gotten COVID Yet, This Might Be Why, Here's What You Can Expect COVID Symptoms to Look Like Day by Dayand Why Days 5 Through 10 Are the Most Important, Here's What You Need to Know About the Long-Term Effects of COVID-19. You can also wipe the soles of your shoes with a disinfecting wipe after going out. Yes, the virus lives on surfaces - door handles, countertops, clothing, furniture and much more. Testing performed on non-porous surfaces, specifically stainless steel, ABS plastic, and nitrile rubber. The virus spreads when other people breathe in infected droplets or when the droplets land in the eyes, nose or mouth of a person nearby. In addition, the agency recommends that you use the warmest appropriate water setting and dry items completely. In a well-known study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), researchers compared how long two coronaviruses could survive on a handful of surfaces. 5.89. All rights reserved. Focus on hand hygiene and not touching your eyes, nose or mouth, Baker says. The Link Between Blood Type and COVID-19 Risk, Modeling the stability of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on skin, currency, and clothing, The stability of model human coronaviruses on textiles in the environment and during health care laundering, Impact of temperature and relative humidity on the transmission of COVID-19: A modelling study in China and the United States. When the pandemic first started, there was very little understanding of how long coronavirus could survive on textiles, said Dr. Laird, a leading infectious disease researcher at De Montfort University in Leicester, United Kingdom. This story has been shared 155,816 times. References:Aerosol and surface stability of HCoV-19 (SARS-CoV-2) compared to SARS-CoV-1. Here's what we know On plastic, the original Wuhan strain survived for about 56 hours. We may be able to find some viable virus after a few days, but its thousands of times less than what was originally deposited by the cough. A weekly update of the most important issues driving the global agenda. How Long Do Coronaviruses Live on Surfaces? 4 Reasons You Should Wear a Mask When Recommended, How is Coronavirus Spread? PaperExamples: mail, newspaperThe length of time varies. Well discuss their findings below. Related: Here's What You Need to Know About the Long-Term Effects of COVID-19, While the new study may be alarming, infectious disease doctors say its not something we should be overly concerned about. And it doesnt last too long on fabric either, typically less than a day.. The second study was published in The Lancet. Its unlikely to catch COVID-19 from a surface, but the risk still exists. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. What is the World Economic Forum doing about the coronavirus outbreak? Can temperature and humidity affect the coronavirus? According to the CDC, SARS-CoV-2 hasnt been detected in drinking water. According to the study conducted by scientists at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) in the UK, the virus which causes COVID-19 . Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), Safe outdoor activities during the COVID-19 pandemic, Safety tips for attending school during COVID-19. The findings were published on March 17, 2020, in theNew England Journal of Medicine. Be sure to dry them thoroughly so liquid doesnt accumulate inside the device. But it's better to be safe than sorry, right? How to protect yourself and others. Has omicron peaked in the US? Try to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Heres what this could look like, hypothetically speaking: Someone with COVID may cover their mouth while coughing and then use their hands to sort through some oranges at the grocery store, selecting some to take home. However, SARS-CoV-2 is believed to mostly spread from person-to-person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. You can make a disinfecting solution by combining 4 teaspoons (about 20 milliliters) of household bleach and 1 quart (slightly less than 1 liter) of water. Wearing a mask and regularly using hand sanitizer can also help prevent sickness, not just from COVID but from other illnesses making their rounds this winter. The COVID-19 virus can also spread if someone touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth after touching a surface or object with the virus on it. Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. Our findings show three of the most commonly used textiles in health care pose a risk for transmission of the virus, she continued in an interview for the universitys news site. Still, viral particles continue making their rounds. Next up, find out how COVID boosters and vaccines could be different in the future than they are now. 6 months plus (Follow on milk) 12 months plus (Growing up milk) Anti-reflux milk Comfort milk Hungry milk Hypoallergenic milk Lactose free milk Baby electricals Baby monitors Thermometers Bathing & changing Baby bath & wash Baby shampoo Baby oil & lotion Baby wipes Changing bag essentials Toothbrushes & toothpaste Nappies Feeding Bottle feeding In their paper, the DMU scientists cautioned that, particularly for health care workers who are in frequent contact with COVID-19 patients, it would be best to take extra precautions regarding laundering clothing. Cleaning with soap and water removes dirt and lowers the number of germs on surfaces. Just because SARS-CoV-2 is present on a surface doesnt mean that you will contract it. The influenza virus can only live for about 8 to 12 hours on fabric. It can also live on cardboard for up to 24 hours. Based on previous data, experts believe that it takes about one thousand viral particles to successfully cause an infection, Dr. Seheult says, also speaking to the unlikelihood of getting COVID through surfaces. The COVID-19 pandemic was unprecedented. (LockA locked padlock) Research to determine impact of UV exposure on SARS-CoV-2 decay on surfaces was conducted at one temperature/relative humidity parameter. A review.. (2020). TORONTO -- A new study has found that the novel coronavirus can survive on some forms of fabric and transmit to other surfaces for up to 72 hours in a laboratory setting. How well do face masks protect against coronavirus? Later variants alpha, beta, gamma and delta lasted for about 191, 157, 59 and 114 hours, respectively. Researchers have been investigating the stability of the novel coronavirus on different surfaces to try and . Looking for U.S. government information and services? So when an infected person coughs and viral droplets land on surfaces around them, its not exactly the outcome that the virus had hoped for. We do not think COVID is spread by touching surfaces, despite this new report where researchers actually inoculated food or food packages with live SARS-CoV-2 virus and then cultured and recovered virus from those inoculated surfaces, she says. These results will inform future epidemiologic investigations that will be necessary to understand spread of this virus person to person, adds co-author Dr. Susan Gerber of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some strains of coronavirus live for only a few minutes on paper, while others live for up to 5 days. Copper surfaces - 4 hours. A new graphic from The Wall Street Journal offers a clue as to why cloth masks might not stop the omicron variant from spreading.. McIntosh K. COVID-19: Epidemiology, virology, and prevention. The wooden objects that we find in our homes are often things like tabletops, furniture, and shelving. In that case, it's probably a good idea to machine wash the clothes you wore outside when you get home. Fight coronavirus COVID-19 transmission at home, Advertising and sponsorship opportunities. For this study, a standard amount of aerosolized virus was applied to different surfaces. Aerosol and surface stability of HCoV-19 (SARS-CoV-2) compared to SARS-CoV-1. But while surface-to-person transmission of the new . All rights reserved. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Preventing person-to-person spread of SARS-CoV-2 is the only means to reduce the impact of COVID-19 in the absence of an effective therapeutic. Thanks for contacting us. Viral survival on surfaces is driven by temperature, relative humidity (RH), sunlight (UV), and matrix (e.g., bodily fluids). Samples were collected at different time intervals, which were then used to calculate the amount of viable virus. CDC: SARS-CoV-2 and Surface (Fomite) Transmission for Indoor Community Environments, Cleaning Your Home, Food and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)., Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: Curtains for Hygiene Theater. Household bleach solutions can also be used when appropriate. Accessed Feb. 23, 2022. Make sure that everyone in your household washes their hands often, especially when they come back home. If youre concerned about this, consider removing your shoes at your front door as soon as you get home. The original SARS-CoV-2 strain found in Wuhan lasted 56 hours on the plastic surface. Coronavirus: Frequently asked questions. Gundy PM, et al. The scientists showed that polyester posed the highest risk for transmission of the virus, with the infectious virus still present after three days that could transfer to other surfaces. Accessed Feb. 23, 2022. 17. According to scientists who performed tests for the Food Standards Agency (FSA), the COVID virus can stay on some grocery surfaces for days. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds immediately after cleaning and disinfecting. Some people even let their mail or parcels sit for a few days before opening. In late 2019, a new coronavirus began circulating in humans. However, although the viruses were able to infect cells in the laboratory, how much virus is likely to cause infections in people remains to be studied. A high number of positives were found from floor samples. Be sure to throw them away as soon as youre done. 4.42. Where we succeeded, where we didn't, and what we learned. Other coronaviruses can live on metal, plastic, and glass surfaces for four to five days, and could persist for up to nine days . (2020). But don't stop disinfecting just yet! Related: Here's What You Can Expect COVID Symptoms to Look Like Day by Dayand Why Days 5 Through 10 Are the Most Important. This transmission electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in the lab. When the pandemic first started, there was very little understanding, and a great deal of concern about how COVID-19 was transmitted from person to person. There are also ways that you can reduce the likelihood of surfaces becoming contaminated by COVID-19: If you live with someone who has COVID-19 or have had a guest with a positive case in your home within 24 hours, disinfect your house in addition to regular cleaning. SARS-CoV-2 can spread easily from person to person. April 5, 2020 -- Many emergency room workers remove their clothes as soon as they get home -- some before they even enter. National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly spread by close contact with someone who has COVID-19. But its not clear whether these pieces of the virus cause infection. Researchers led by Dr. Vincent Munster of NIHs National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) studied how long the virus survives in the air and on surfaces. The CDC says it is safe to wash dirty laundry from a person who is sick with other people's items. (PDF, 9 pgs., 235 KB), https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology, An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The information in this story is accurate as of press time. It's now clear that SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets (from an infected person talking, sneezing, or coughing) rather than through objects and materials that can transfer the virus if they become contaminated. Dr. DelCollo is board-certified in family medicine by the American Board of Family Medicine. But the risk of this is very low. COVID-19 Can Live on Fabrics for Three Days, New Study Finds. Information on how long SARS-CoV-2 would be expected to remain stable on surfaces will be displayed in the table below. Of particular interest, the Omicron variant was found to . These times will vary under real-world conditions, depending on factors including temperature, humidity, ventilation, and the amount of virus deposited. Some people refer to the act of overcleaning as hygiene theater. This term suggests that certain sanitation practices exist more as a show to ease peoples minds instead of being based in science. Infection with the COVID-19 virus may also occur if someone is exposed to very small droplets or aerosols that stay in the air for several minutes or hours. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. They. Many disinfectants need to stay on surfaces for some time to be effective. With online shopping and deliveries now reaching holiday-level busyness, you might be wondering if your mail or packages are carrying the coronavirus. Sunlight and humidity, for instance, can both contribute to how long viruses are able to survive on surfaces outdoors, he noted. The coronavirus has been found to live on some surfaces for longer than 9 days, and in one famous early case, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found coronavirus RNA that had. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Most people who develop COVID-19 symptoms improve without treatment in 2-6 weeks.