How long does coronavirus survive in the air and on surfaces?

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), can remain viable in aerosols for hours and on surfaces for days, according to a correspondence in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The virus's median half-life was about 1 hour as an aerosol. No viable virus was detected after 4 hour on copper, 24 hours on cardboard, and 72 hours on plastic and stainless steel.

In the U.S., reported eases have surpassed 5700, with roughly 95 deaths. Blood shortages could be se in 2 weeks, Reuters reports. People are encouraged avoid discretionary travel.