{"id":30054,"date":"2020-04-06T10:00:37","date_gmt":"2020-04-06T17:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uprinting.com\/?p=30054"},"modified":"2025-12-17T22:22:51","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T06:22:51","slug":"how-long-does-coronavirus-last-on-cardboard-and-paper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uprinting.com\/blog\/how-long-does-coronavirus-last-on-cardboard-and-paper\/","title":{"rendered":"How Long Does Coronavirus Last on Cardboard and Paper?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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While most of us are doing our part to flatten the curve and keeping entertained at home, we can\u2019t avoid going out to buy essentials or having packaged goods delivered to your address. Interaction with cardboard and paper is inevitable as you buy a carton of milk or go through the week\u2019s round of mail. You\u2019re probably wondering what precautions need to be taken once you\u2019ve removed those gloves and taken the package inside your home.<\/p>

The New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of Hospital Infections published studies that confirm how long the virus lasts on these materials. Here\u2019s what you need to know to lessen the stress upon sorting through your grocery supplies and online retail orders.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

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\nThe 24-Hour Window on Cardboard\n<\/h2>
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Scientists from the National Institutes of Health, University of California Los Angeles (UCLAA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Princeton University discovered in their\u00a0The New England Journal of Medicine published study<\/a>\u00a0that COVID-19 lasts for up to 24 hours on cardboard. The study also found that no viable traces of the virus were measured by the end of the day-long period.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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\nHow Long Does COVID-19 Last on Paper?\n<\/h2>
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Paper is another concern as we typically go through the mail and other important correspondences in our everyday lives. According to a\u00a0study published in The Journal of Hospital Infections<\/a>, the coronavirus persists on paper between 3 hours to 5 days. The larger the amount present, the longer it lasts on the paper surface.<\/p>

Another study from The Lancet Global Health<\/a>\u00a0reports that \u201cno infectious virus could be recovered from printing and tissue papers\u201d after 3 hours in room temperature at 22\u00b0C and a 65% relative humidity.<\/p>

We should note that the virus\u2019 viability on these surfaces doesn\u2019t have to be alarming. Cell biologist Carolyn Machamer, whose specialty is coronaviruses, emphasizes this in a\u00a0John Hopkins University interview<\/a>:<\/p>

\u201cWhat\u2019s more important is the amount of the virus that remains. It\u2019s less than 0.1% of the starting virus material. Infection is theoretically possible but unlikely at the levels remaining after a few days. People need to know this.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>

She also explains that there\u2019s a higher chance of getting infected through the air compared to surface contact.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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To prevent any potential spread, wash your hands after touching any material. It\u2019s important to continue observing the following\u00a0CDC guidelines for protection:<\/a><\/p>

  1. Clean and disinfect all surfaces that have high contact. These include your light switches, tables, phones, keyboards, and sinks.<\/li>
  2. Keep a distance of six feet between yourself and other people in public.<\/li>
  3. Wash your hands as often as possible with soap and water for 20 seconds after coming from a public place.<\/li>
  4. Stay at home as much as possible, especially if you\u2019re sick and get in touch with your doctor upon exhibiting symptoms.<\/li><\/ol>

    Printing companies like UPrinting are following all the safety guidelines from the CDC and WHO. This ensures all printed materials arrive sanitized upon delivery to your doorstep. For more information on how we\u2019re minimizing the spread, check out our\u00a0COVID-19 FAQ page<\/a>.<\/p>

    Looking for ready to print design templates on the proper safety and sanitation guidelines against COVID-19? These poster designs cover everything from how to wash your hands, coronavirus symptoms, and other helpful information.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    While most of us are doing our part to flatten the curve and keeping entertained at home, we can\u2019t avoid going out to buy essentials or having packaged goods delivered to your address. Interaction with cardboard and paper is inevitable as you buy a carton of milk or go through the week\u2019s round of mail. 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