Differences in environmental stability among SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern: both omicron BA.1 and BA.2 have higher stability

Objectives: The increased infectivity and transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) could cause significant human and economic damage. Hence, understanding their characteristics is crucial to control infection. We evaluated the environmental stability of the Wuhan strain and all VOCs (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Omicron BA.1, and Omicron BA.2 variants) on plastic and human skin surfaces and their disinfection efficacy.Methods: To evaluate environmental stability, residual virus titres on plastic and human skin surfaces were measured over time. Their survival time and half-life were calculated using regression analysis. The effectiveness of ethanol-based disinfectants at different concentrations was determined by in vitro and ex vivo evaluations. Results: On plastic and skin surfaces, the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants exhibited approxi-mately two-fold longer survival times than the Wuhan strain; the Omicron variants had the longest survival time. The median survival times of the Wuhan strain and the Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron (BA.1 and BA.2) variants on human skin surface were 8.6, 19.6, 19.1, 11.0, 16.8, 21.1, and 22.5 h, respectively. The in vitro evaluation showed that the Wuhan strain and the Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron (BA.1 and BA.2) variants were completely inactivated within 15 s by 32.5%, 35%, 35%, 32.5%, 35%, 40%, and 40% ethanol, respectively. However, all viruses on human skin were completely inactivated by exposure to 35% ethanol for 15 s.Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 VOCs, especially the Omicron variants, have higher environmental stability than the Wuhan strain, increasing their transmission risk and contributing to their spread. Ryohei Hirose, Clin Microbiol Infect 2022;28:1486 (c) 2022 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study evaluated the environmental stability of various SARS-CoV-2 variants on plastic and human skin surfaces, as well as their resistance to alcohol-based disinfectants. It was found that the variants had longer survival times compared to the Wuhan strain, with the Omicron variant having the longest survival time. In addition, 35% ethanol showed good efficacy in inactivating viruses on human skin surfaces.