Shocking new British research shows Covid-19 CAN be spread through infected surfaces
- Experts from Imperial College London analyzed 279 households during the pandemic
- If the virus was detected on a surface, it increased the chance of spreading
British researchers have discovered that Covid-19 may be spread through surfaces after all.
In the early days of the pandemic, a lack of concrete knowledge about how the virus spread led to widespread use of antibacterial wipes on surfaces and sanitizing gels to keep hands clean.
This was largely abandoned and the focus shifted to wearing masks after it was proven that Covid was spread between people via droplets from expelled breath.
But a new study by scientists at Imperial College London suggests surfaces can still trap the virus and transmit the infection.
Researchers analyzed 279 households in London at the height of the pandemic, when very few people had been vaccinated and one member had recently been infected with Covid.
The study authors used regular Covid-19 tests to track how long it took for the virus to be passed on.
In the early days of the pandemic, a lack of concrete knowledge about how the virus spread led to widespread use of antibacterial wipes on surfaces and sanitizing gels to keep hands clean
A new study by scientists at Imperial College London suggests surfaces can still trap the virus and transmit the infection
They also took cotton swabs from the participants’ hands and from surfaces that were frequently touched, including the kettle, fridge doors and faucets.
The research showed that if the virus was on household surfaces, residents were 3.8 times more likely to see it on their hands and 1.7 times more likely to become infected.
Professor Ajit Lalvani, lead author of the study and chair of infectious diseases at Imperial College, said: ‘There is no doubt that if you have Covid-19 you are expelling the virus into the air, as well as large droplets that land on your body. hands and surfaces around you. What has not been shown so far is that the presence of the virus on people’s hands or household surfaces predicts transmission to contacts.
“Our data strongly suggest that, in addition to regular hand washing, the disinfection of frequently touched surfaces can prevent transmission.”
However, the authors pointed out that their study does not categorically prove that touching surfaces causes transmission, as they did not measure the level of Covid-19 particles in the air – which may also have played a role.
The team also acknowledged that their results were limited to the pre-alpha and alpha variants of Covid, so the results may not apply to other types that emerged later in the pandemic.