Although the main mode of transmission for the highly contagious respiratory illness caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus is believed to be via airborne aerosols, the risk with surface transmission is real.
Let’s look at the following cases.
According to Dr. Marc Wathelet, Molecular Biologist and Coronavirus Specialist: “Consider what happened in Toronto in 2003 when SARS-CoV was no longer circulating in the community and there were no more cases in the hospital. The strict control measures were lifted and a full month later a new outbreak took place in one community hospital, presumably a fomite that was not cleaned reinitiated transmission, the virus having remained viable for a month.” 1
1. https://sciencemediahub.eu/2020/04/23/the-differences-between-sars-cov-1-and-sars-cov-
A study conducted in a shopping mall in China concluded that transmission was likely via contaminated objects. 1
In a recent study published in New England Journal of Medicine, the researchers concluded that “aerosol and fomite transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is plausible, since the virus can remain viable and infectious in aerosols for hours and on surfaces up to days. These results echo those findings with SARS-CoV-1.” 2
Excessive usage of antibiotics and even antibacterial soaps is hypothesized to have resulted in growth of “superbugs” (bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics). Superbugs can spread via contaminated surfaces and can be very dangerous and difficult to eradicate.
UV light is highly effective against viruses, bacteria and superbugs in the air or on surfaces. V-Go™, Safer Planet’s smartphone case with embedded and proprietary UV light technology, is a convenient and effective tool to disinfect surfaces and objects, thereby minimizing the risk of surface transmission.