What is the relative risk to contract SARS-CoV-2 infection through surfaces?
SARS-CoV-2 remained viable in aerosols for 3 h with a ~10-fold reduction in infectious titre.253 SARS-CoV-2 was more stable on plastic and stainless steel than on copper and cardboard; viable virus was detected up to 3 days after application to plastic and 2 days to stainless steel, on each surface the virus titer was reduced nearly ~100-fold.253 Therefore, it is convenient to minimize contact with surfaces touched by others (even before SARS-CoV-2 existed), for example when using public transportation.