Surface tension: How long does the coronavirus stick?

ALEX HOGAN/STAT

Anxiously wondering how long viruses can lurk on a surface before infecting someone? It depends on both the surface and the virus. Here’s how long the Covid-19 virus, according to a new study, sticks around on various surfaces:

• On plastic: After eight hours only 10% of the virus was still there, but it didn’t become undetectable until after 72 hours.
• On stainless steel: The numbers began plummeting after just four hours, becoming undetectable by about 48 hours. 
• On copper: Undetectable by eight hours.
• On cardboard: Undetectable by 48 hours. 

The take-home message: Thoroughly wash your hands after touching surfaces that anyone else might have touched — or don’t touch them in the first place.