Although more than four million people have died worldwide from the novel coronavirus that spread from Wuhan, China, late last year, scientists have not yet been able to say anything definite about the origin, characteristics, kinetic or evolutionary nature of the virus.
How long does the virus survive in a plane, how fast does it spread through sneezing and coughing, how does it vary depending on the type of weather or temperature? Happened.
Initially, people thought that the virus could not survive long at high temperatures, but no scientific basis for this claim has been found. Another idea is that the virus may survive longer in the refrigerator than in other places. However, like other theories about coronavirus, scientists have not been able to be 100% sure about this.
Does coronavirus last longer in the fridge?
Scientists have found evidence that some species of coronaviruses that previously lived in the environment did not survive effectively at temperatures below freezing, but survived in a stable state.
A 2010 study by the American Society of Microbiology found that the SARS coronavirus (much like the Covid-19 virus) could survive in an environment with a humidity and temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit (about 4.45 degrees Celsius).
Refrigerators that are commonly used in households have this temperature.
The study found that when the temperature is below 4 Celsius and humidity is below 20%, the SARS coronavirus survives for about 28 days, whereas when the temperature is 40 Celsius and humidity is 60%, the duration of the virus is about 6 hours.
Based on this evidence, many experts advise caution in using refrigerators without waiting for further research.
They say that since a coronavirus of a nearby species can survive in the refrigerator for long periods of time, the novel coronavirus is likely to have the same characteristics.
Research scientist and virologist at the Gladstone Institute in San Francisco. Warner Green said in an interview with NBC News in April that the coronavirus was a "sticky" virus.
In that interview. "This virus (SARS) survives surprisingly long on different planes," Green said.
Nazrul Islam, a former vice chancellor and virologist at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, said it was not known how long the novel coronavirus could survive in the fridge, but it is possible that it could survive longer in fridge weather than elsewhere. But there is no research on how long he can live there.
However, many experts do not want to form an idea about the properties of the novel coronavirus based on the research done on SARS coronavirus.
In an interview with ABC Radio Australia in April, Michael Kidd, Australia's deputy chief medical officer, said it was not possible to say whether the novel coronavirus would survive in the fridge and how long it would survive. So we don't know for sure if the virus has the same characteristics as the SARS coronavirus.
What kind of precautions should you take while using the fridge?
In an interview with ABC Radio, Professor Michael Kidd commented that it is important to sterilize all food or product packages at least once, not just after refrigeration.
"Everyone needs to remember to disinfect as well as wash their hands frequently before bringing them to the market from outside and refrigerating them," said Michael Kidd.
Like the SARS coronavirus, many experts believe that if a novel coronavirus is found in food or in a packet of refrigerated food, it can survive up to four weeks. Therefore, experts are emphasizing on sterilizing the product before putting it in the fridge and after taking it out of the fridge.
Virologist Nazrul Islam said, "After taking out the packet of food kept in the fridge, it is necessary to wipe the packet thoroughly with a cloth mixed with disinfectant.
He advised to wash the vegetables kept in the fridge in soapy water for a while before cooking. However, in the case of fish or meat, it is not possible, so it is important to disinfect the packets or containers in which the fish and meat will be kept, he said. Maybe.
He advised to make it a habit to take food out of the fridge and wash your hands frequently while cooking to ensure safety. . It is important to wash your hands at the end of every small task that is likely to cause a virus infection.
Source: BBC
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