Understanding environmental and airborne routes of transmission

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Understanding how the causatative agent of COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 is spread from person-to-person is essential for outbreak control. Little is known about the environmental stability of SARS-CoV-2 and establishing if/how the environment affects the survival and/or transmissibility (spread) of the virus is an immedate research priority (as identifed by the WHO Global Research and Innovation Forum). This study will determine how long SARS-CoV-2 will survive in the air and on different types of surfaces (e.g. those found in the healthcare, domestic and community setting). Methods to effectively decontaminate these surfaces will also be investigated. Techniques will also be developed in order to develop validated sampling methods for the agent in healthcare facilities. Experiments will be carried out using specialist facilities and equipment at Public Health England and will be conducted under controlled environmental conditions (e.g. at a range of temperatures and humidities) representative of those found in different countries and/or settings. This study is essential if the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is to be fully understood. The results obtained will clarify how environmental factors can impact the spread of the virus and will inform effective (and evidence-based) strategies and guidance for preventing and controlling infection in healthcare and non-healthcare settings worldwide.