What role does temperature play?

Currently, researchers at the RUB under Junior Professor Dr Stephanie Pfänder are examining the effect of changes in room temperature on the lifespan of the virus. Scientists compared the surface stability of the virus at room temperatures of 4°C and 30°C.  They found that the virus remains infectious on surfaces for roughly the same length of time in both hot and cold conditions. ‘The assumption had been that higher temperatures would lead to a lower transmission rate of SARS-CoV-2 in summer,’ says Pfänder. ’However, it appears that the stability of the virus on surfaces is not impacted by changes in temperature.’ A potentially lower rate of infection in summer could be due to other factors such as UV radiation and humidity though, says the virologist.

‘Less is more’ in private household

Steinmann emphasises that there should be different criteria for private households as opposed to hospitals: ‘In everyday life, normal hand washing – combined with social distancing and following the correct coughing etiquette – is usually completely sufficient. Disinfection is only required once there has actually been contact with an infected person.’ Steinmann explains, in terms of the explosive demand for disinfectants amongst private individuals as follows: ‘In many cases, this will have been impacted by a psychological effect: If you have a disinfectant at home, it makes you feel safe just in case. The actual use is then not actually that important.’

If private households reach for the ‘strong stuff’, i.e. a disinfectant, they may not be doing themselves a favour, warns the expert: ‘These agents are aggressive and can attack the skin if used regularly.’ Without comprehensive care, this can easily result in skin injuries.