key: cord-0806143-gde1t5nb
authors: Meister, Toni Luise; Fortmann, Jil; Todt, Daniel; Heinen, Natalie; Ludwig, Alfred; Brueggemann, Yannick; Elsner, Carina; Dittmer, Ulf; Pfaender, Stephanie; Steinmann, Eike
title: Comparable environmental stability and disinfection profiles of the currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern B.1.1.7 and B.1.351
date: 2021-04-08
journal: bioRxiv
DOI: 10.1101/2021.04.07.438820
sha: 8073fd49d6012ce6d443242186d1f43b856e4451
doc_id: 806143
cord_uid: gde1t5nb

The emergence of novel SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 variants of concern with increased transmission dynamics has raised questions regarding stability and disinfection of these viruses. In this study, we analyzed surface stability and disinfection of the currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 compared to the wildtype. Treatment with heat, soap and ethanol revealed similar inactivation profiles indicative of a comparable susceptibility towards disinfection. Furthermore, we observed comparable surface stability on steel, silver, copper and face masks. Overall, our data support the application of currently recommended hygiene concepts to minimize the risk of B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 transmission.

Since the outbreak of Severe Acute respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS- 2) at the end of 2019, > 120 million cases and > 2.8 million death (March 31 st 2021) 43 have been reported [1] . Viral evolution includes the natural emergence of viral variants, 44 which can encode for a variety of mutations in their genome compared to the parental 45 wildtype virus. Mutations which confer either enhanced fitness, higher pathogenicity, 46 better transmissibility or immune escape are of special concern as they could 

Accessed 31

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 208 We would like to thank all members of the Department for Molecular & Medical 209 Virology for helpful suggestions and discussions. The authors did not receive any funding for this project.