Increasing Temperature and Relative Humidity Accelerates Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 on Surfaces
Jennifer Biryukov, Jeremy A. Boydston, Rebecca Dunning, John J. Yeager, Stewart Wood, Amy L. Reese, Allison Ferris, David Miller, Wade Weaver, Nathalie E. Zeitouni, Aaron T. Phillips, Denise Freeburger, Idris Hooper, Shanna Ratnesar-Shumate, Jason Yolitz, M Krause, Gregory Williams, David G. Dawson, Artemas Herzog, Paul Dabisch, Victoria Wahl‐Jensen, Michael Hevey, Louis A. Altamura
Abstract
Mitigating the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in clinical settings and public spaces is critically important to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases while effective vaccines and therapeutics are under development. SARS-CoV-2 transmission is thought to primarily occur through direct person-to-person transfer of infectious respiratory droplets or through aerosol-generating medical procedures. However, contact with contaminated surfaces may also play a significant role. In this context, understanding the factors contributing to SARS-CoV-2 persistence on surfaces will enable a more accurate estimation of the risk of contact transmission and inform mitigation strategies. To this end, we have developed a simple mathematical model that can be used to estimate virus decay on nonporous surfaces under a range of conditions and which may be utilized operationally to identify indoor environments in which the virus is most persistent.