Who, Where and What can get you infected with COVID-19?

People who have asymptomatic COVID-19 are more likely to contaminate surfaces and spread COVID-19. That was one of the findings of a preprint study released in BioRxiv.

The study examined asymptomatic, mild, and moderate cases of COVID-19 and different places, 641 environmental surfaces, and air samples.

The presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was tested with the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction test or RT-PCR. The same method used when doing nasal swabs.

Who is more likely to get you infected?

Asymptomatic people with COVID-19 tend to contaminate more surfaces compared to the ones with mild or moderate symptoms.

Asymptomatic cases are defined as those having the virus but have no fever, dry cough, phlegm, muscle pains fatigue, and diarrhea.

They contaminate more surfaces because they are unaware that they have the virus and are infectious. They may not wash their hands properly or cover their mouth when they talk, cough, or sneeze.

In the early or asymptomatic stage, the SARS-CoV-2 virus multiplies rapidly in the nose and the throat by the millions. A small drop of the saliva or nasal discharge can carry millions of germs.  This makes it easy to transmit thru the mouth and the nose.

Talking by itself can put out virus-laden spit that can settle on surfaces and survive for several hours and even days.

The mild and moderate cases also contaminate surfaces, but to a lesser extent because the presence of symptoms makes them more conscious about covering their mouths and proper handwashing.

Where Can You Get infected?

A hotel is the most likely place to get infected compared to the home or the car.

The toilet, waiting room or lobby, and kitchen are the places with more contaminated surfaces. Many people in these places come and go making the risk of contamination high.

Interestingly, the surfaces checked for the presence of the virus in restaurants, marketplace, and public areas were all negative when tested by RT-PCR.

This contrasts with another study done in a restaurant where the air-conditioner is the culprit in spreading the virus from an asymptomatic carrier to the other customers in other tables.

Samples collected outdoors did not show any COVID-19 virus. This could because the wind outdoors spreads the virus, which lessens their concentration.

What surfaces are more likely to be contaminated?

In the restroom, the handle, toilet bowl, sink, and the shower and the floor drain are the most contaminated. That is, after washing your hands, use a paper towel to open the door when you exit.

In the lobbies or waiting rooms, the water dispenser, chairs, tables, and the remote controls are contaminated.

At home and the hotel, the doorknobs, dining table, the bed, bedsheet, pillow, and bedside table were also found to contain SARS-CoV-2.

Inside the car, the steering wheel is positive. It is handy to have a disinfectant inside the vehicle.

Air specimens collected from rooms and cars were negative by RT-PCR testing.

The risk of getting COVID-19 by surface contamination

Surfaces with the SARS-Cov-2 virus can spread COVID-19 by transfer to the hands. Once contaminated, the virus has many opportunities to get to the nose and the mouth.

A study has shown that, on average, people touch their faces at least 23 times an hour. Half of those times involve touching the mouth, nose, and eyes. The nose and the mouth have moist inner linings called the mucosa, where germs easily attach to and multiply.

You can also get infected with COVID-19 thru the eyes. The eyes have a duct that directly goes to the nose. That is why it is advised for health care workers to use eye protection when seeing patients.

Minimizing Your Risks

According to the authors, this research is the largest study that tested environmental surfaces for COVID-19 contamination. That being said, health habits, temperature, humidity, and sanitation conditions and practices differ among countries and households.

It is essential to practice proper handwashing techniques all the time. Hands should be washed for at least 20 seconds, and all surfaces of the hands should be touched by the soap.

In the absence of water, hand sanitizers can do. To fight an invisible enemy, consider it as being everywhere.

Regular disinfection of common surfaces also removes microbial contamination. If you cannot buy disinfectants anywhere, a list of little known effective disinfectants against COVID-19 are listed here.

An article about what areas in the hospitals with the most contamination is available here.

Feel free to share.

Knowledge about Covid-19 is rapidly evolving. Information may update as new researches are done. Stay current by subscribing.

Don’t Get Sick!

Related Readings

1. A Sustainable Way to Decontaminate a Face Mask Using Household Materials

2. How Far Can a Sneeze Go?

3. Covid-19 Spread with Air-conditioning

4. Study Explains the Silent Spread of Covid-19

5. The Asymptomatic and Symptomatic Covid-19 are Equally Infectious

6. Can Talking Spread Viruses?

7. SARS-CoV-2 Contamination in the Hospital Setting

8. How Long Can the Covid-19 Virus Survive in Common Surfaces?

9. How Long does the Covid-19 Virus Float in the Air and Stay on Surface?

10. 5 Reasons why Covid-19 Spreads Fast

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.