SARS-CoV-2 is rapidly inactivated at high temperature

In the absence of a vaccine, preventing the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the primary means to reduce the impact of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Multiple studies have reported the presence of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material on surfaces suggesting that fomite transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is feasible. High temperature inactivation of virus has been previously suggested, but not shown. In the present study, we investigated the environmental stability of SARS-CoV-2 in a clinically relevant matrix dried onto stainless steel at a high temperature. The results show that at 54.5 degrees C, the virus half-life was 10.8 +/- 3.0 min and the time for a 90% decrease in infectivity was 35.4 +/- 9.0 min. These findings suggest that in instances where the environment can reach temperatures of at least 54.5 degrees C, such as in vehicle interior cabins when parked in warmer ambient air, that the potential for exposure to infectious virus on surfaces could be decreased substantially in under an hour.

Automated summary

This study investigated the environmental stability of SARS-CoV-2 in a clinically relevant matrix dried onto stainless steel at a high temperature. The results showed that at 54.5 degrees C, the virus half-life was approximately 10.8 minutes and the time for a 90% decrease in infectivity was about 35.4 minutes. This suggests that in environments with temperatures reaching at least 54.5 degrees C, such as in vehicle interior cabins, the potential exposure to infectious virus on surfaces could be substantially reduced in under an hour.