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Tests show new coronavirus lives on some surfaces for up to 3 days

Virus Outbreak Stockpiling AP
Posted at 5:09 AM, Mar 12, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-12 08:17:28-04

Tests led by U.S. government scientists show that the new coronavirus can live in the air for several hours and on some surfaces for up to three days.

Their work, published on Wednesday, doesn't prove that anyone has been infected through breathing it from the air or by touching contaminated surfaces.

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Experts say it shows the importance of the hygiene steps health officials recommend, such as washing your hands and not touching your face.

The virus can live up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to two to three days on plastic and stainless steel.