Did you ever wonder how long coronaviruses remain infectious on paper money and coins or if it’s possible to pick up the virus by handling cash? It turns out the risk of catching COVID from coins or banknotes is very low, according to a recent study. 

Researchers treated 10-cent, 1-euro, and 5-cent coins and banknotes with virus solutions and observed how long the infectious virus remained. While it was still present on a stainless-steel surface after seven days, on the 10-euro banknote, it disappeared completely in only three days. No infectious virus was found on a nickel after only one hour.

“The rapid decline on the 5-cent piece is because it’s made of copper, on which viruses are known to be less stable,” said one of the lead researchers, Dr. Daniel Todt.

The study results line up with other studies showing that in most cases, infection occurs via aerosols or droplets, while infections via surfaces are almost nonexistent.

SOURCE: Science Daily July 29, 2021