Latest CDC Guidance: COVID-19 Not Spread Easily on Surfaces
The latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that the coronavirus is not spread easily by contaminated surfaces. It’s mostly spread between people. The CDC says the virus spreads more easily than influenza, but not as easily as measles which is highly contagious. In other words it’s very easy to pass COVID-19 on to another person if you’re infected. Comparatively, it’s somewhat harder to pass the flu on to another people.
As for spreading COVID-19 from contaminated surfaces, the CDC says it is possible. If you touch the surface and then touch your own mouth, nose or eyes. That said, according to the CDC, from what they know now this doesn’t seem to be the main way the virus is spread.
Additionally the CDC says the chance of COVID-19 spreading from animals to humans is low. The CDC “is aware of a small number of pets worldwide, including cats and dogs, reported to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, mostly after close contact with people with COVID-19.” If you are infected with COVID-19 you can check out the CDC’s guidance to keep your pets safe here.
What hasn’t changed is the CDC’s guidance on keeping yourself safe from the coronavirus. Maintaining social distance, about six feet, is important on stopping the spread of COVID-19. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. If that isn’t available, use a hand sanitizer with 60 percent alcohol. And continue to clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
Additionally the FDA has said food, food packaging and food containers haven’t been shown to transmit COVID-19 and wiping down food packaging is less important than hand washing and frequently sanitizing and disinfecting surfaces in your kitchen.