Research and analysis

SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) environmental persistence and potential infection risk: review of data, 14 February 2020

Review by the virology cell for the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).

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Review of data on persistence of SARS-CoV-2 in the environment and potential infection risk - 14 February 2020

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Details

Review of data on the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces, other household materials and in airborne droplets, and how long it remains in an infectious form. Assessments are supplemented by associated recommendations.

The paper was discussed at SAGE meeting 8 on 18 February 2020.

This evidence was often complied very rapidly during a fast-moving response and should be viewed in this context. The paper presented here is the best assessment of the evidence at the time of writing, and the conclusions were formed on this basis. As new evidence or data emerges, SAGE updates its advice accordingly. Therefore, some of the information in this paper may have been superseded at a later date.

Updates to this page

Published 5 May 2020

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