key: cord-0962362-ew0anr7k
authors: Law, Siukan; Alnasser, Ali Hassan A; Al-Tawfiq, Jaffar A
title: Could the SARS-CoV-2 infection be acquired from Smartphones?
date: 2020-09-03
journal: Ethiop J Health Sci
DOI: 10.4314/ejhs.v30i5.26
sha: 25e74e45b26457f07413341cffdc2ae3b88b7f71
doc_id: 962362
cord_uid: ew0anr7k

nan

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was identified in December 2019 and termed as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It's highly contagious and linked to the human-tohuman transmission. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak on 30 January 2020 and announced it as a global pandemic on 11 March (1).

Rethinking to the modes of transmission on COVID-19 infection, SARS-CoV-2 might be transmitted by respiratory droplets within a long distance of 2m or by contaminated surfaces leading to infection through contact transmission (2) . Respiratory etiquette and maintaining physical distances are key interventions to prevent such transmission of infection by respiratory droplets (3) . However, can we avoid touching infected surfaces e.g., smartphones' touch screens? The SARS-CoV-2 symptomatic or asymptomatic patient who coughs or sneezes nearby any smartphones, then any individual who touches the smartphones might be inadvertently infected with the SARS-CoV-2. This may occur by touching the phone then touching the mouth, nose, and eyes leading to respiratory infection (4).

SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV have similar structures to the SARS-CoV-2 as well as the mode of transmission. SARS-CoV-2 remains on surfaces, including the plastered wall, formica, plastic, stainless steel, glass and SARS-CoV-2 remains infectious at room temperature for up to nine days (5) . Since SARS-CoV-2 is suitable to survive at low temperatures and high humidity conditions, its lifespan also would be enhanced (6) . In 2015, Foong YC, et al. indicated that smartphones are potential vehicles for pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria in the hospital setting (7) . Research indicated that the rate of isolation of non-pathogenic organisms were as follows: Coagulasenegative Staphylococci (58.8%), Bacillus spp. (6.2%), Diphtheroid spp. (11.5%) and Non-Hemolytic Streptococcus (10.6%) while there is only a 5% rate of contamination with potentially pathogenic organisms such as Staphylococcus aureus and coliforms (3). Handwashing with 80% ethanol or 75% 2-propanol recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) inactivates viruses and bacteria (8) . Alcohol inactivates enveloped viruses via denaturing proteins and has a veridical effect on SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. The use of 0.1% sodium hypochlorite or 62-71% ethanol for surface disinfection also reduces the SARS-CoV-2 transmission (9) .

Based on the provided information, smartphone devices can be a mediator in the transmission of infectious diseases, including SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare centers and the community. It is known that smartphones are no longer only for phone calls, but their use is necessary for communication, health information, e-learning, and medical consultations. Strategies should go beyond the imposition of behavioral controls for individuals with a commitment to regularly disinfect smartphones, portable electronic medical record devices, etc. Besides, finding alternative ways to use these devices in a clinical setting is paramount importance.

Outbreak of a new coronavirus: what anaesthetists should know

The novel coronavirus can likely live up to 96 hours on phone screens

Persistence of coronaviruses on inanimate surfaces and its inactivation with biocidal agents

High Temperature and High Humidity Reduce the Transmission of COVID-19

Mobile Phones as a Potential Vehicle of Infection in a Hospital Setting

Virucidal Activity of World Health Organization-Recommended Formulations Against Enveloped Viruses, Including Zika, Ebola, and Emerging Coronaviruses

World Health Organization. Guidelines on hand hygiene in health care. First global patient safety challenge clean care is safer care

/44102/9789241597906_eng.pdf?sequence= 1

Thank you very much for raising this important issue on current condition. Having read the arguments and the evidences you cited and other sources, I concure with you that smart phone devices could be mediator of Corona virus like any other utensil and objects do. That is why sanitizing them is taken as one of the COVID-19 transmission preventing measures.