A recent study has shown that Omicron lasts up to 16 hours on skin surfaces, and around 8 days on plastic surfaces.
The same study reports that this survival time is over twice as long as the original strain of COVID-19.
We’re generally told to be most wary of catching COVID-19 via the air, however, with this recent study, we should be just as careful when it comes to our general hygiene, and the surfaces we touch.
With the large amount of hard and plastic public surfaces that are high frequency touch points, disinfecting these surfaces frequently, as well as keeping our hands clean, will help ensure our own safety, as well as the safety of our communities.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
We recommend specialised surface disinfectants, such as Viruclear, or Viruclear Plus, which can kill COVID-19 in under 60 seconds.
Click below to find out more:
https://virulabs.co.nz/efficacy-data/
https://virulabs.co.nz/viruclear-plus/
When you’re out and about, hand sanitiser is usually the most convenient option.
We recommend Kemsol Microban, which contains 71% alcohol, and additionally contains natural moisturisers.
Click below to find out more:
https://www.kemsol.co.nz/product/183/microban/
Sources:
https://theconversation.com/fresh-research-says-omicron-lasts-much-longer-on-surfaces-than-other-variants-but-disinfecting-still-works-176156)
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.01.18.476607v1.full