The primary mode of transmission for COVID-19 is not through contact with contaminated surfaces, but rather through the respiratory system. Therefore, it is essential to focus on wearing masks, particularly N95 or KN95 masks, and to practice social distancing as much as possible. Although it is possible to become infected with SARS-CoV-2 through contact with surfaces, epidemiological data and studies of environmental transmission factors suggest that surface transmission is not the main route of spread and the risk is considered to be low. The primary way in which people become infected with SARS-CoV-2 is through exposure to respiratory droplets carrying the virus.
In most cases, cleaning surfaces with soap or detergent is sufficient to reduce the risk. Disinfection is recommended in indoor community settings where there has been a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. The risk of fomite transmission can be minimized by consistently and correctly wearing masks, practicing hand hygiene, cleaning, and taking other steps to keep facilities healthy. Studies have only shown that the virus can survive on surfaces; they do not prove that it can be contracted by touching those surfaces.
According to Dr. Blumberg, you can also get the virus from infected surfaces. For instance, when an infected person sneezes or coughs, droplets containing the virus can land on surfaces around them. Whether they have symptoms or not, infected people can be contagious and the virus can spread from them to other people.
