Covid-19 spreads via smartphones research finds

Research shows that coronavirus can survive on smartphone screens for 28 days

Covid-19 spreads via smartphones research finds 1

A research paper from Virology Journal found that the particular virus responsible for the coronavirus, SARS CoV-2, can live on your screen for almost a month given certain conditions. Since we bring our smartphones almost everywhere and use them practically every day, it shouldn’t be surprising that it’s probably one of the dirtiest things we own. And in this day and age, having viruses and bacteria nearby can be a very dangerous thing.

Yes, the screens that you touch every day and even put on your face from time to time could possibly infect you. The research found the virus was able to thrive on glass and other non-porous surfaces like steel longer when kept at about 20 degrees celsius and 50% room humidity.


So what can you do to keep yourself safe? The research does indicate that increasing ambient temperature to 40 degrees celsius while maintaining humidity can shorten the lifespan of the virus to just 24 hours.

Alternatively, there are sanitizers and disinfectants on the market that can help clean your phone without you having to set your home temperatures to 40-degrees celsius for at least 24 hours. UV sterilizers and cleaners have become quite popular and have been made more available to the public.

The FDA has mentioned that UVC light, like the ones found on PhoneSoap or CleanTray, may be effective in inactivating the SARS Cov-2 virus as it’s able to do so on the different but similarly named SARS-Coronavirus.

CleanTray is designed to disinfect your smartphone using UV light
CleanTray is designed to disinfect your smartphone using UV light

It should be noted though the UVC light may be harmful and irritable to the skin so these should not be used to disinfect your hands and face. For that, good old soap and water is still the most highly suggested way to keep your hands clean.

Source: Virology Journal
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