Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 25) — The Department of Health reminded the public to practice proper hygiene after a new study showed that the COVID-19 Omicron variant could survive longer on plastic and skin than other variants of concern.
Health Undersecretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire said following minimum public health standards such as taking a shower and changing your clothes after coming back home from being outside, washing hands and wearing face masks are enough protection from Omicron’s lasting presence on surfaces.
“With this evidence…as long as you do your protective measures, your safety protocols… I think we are protected,” said Vergeire in a media forum on Tuesday. “So we do not need to add some more to the fears that we have right now but instead focus on what we can do.”
A recent study made by Japanese researchers found that the Omicron variant can survive on plastic for 193.5 hours while the Alpha can stay for 191.3 hours, the Beta for 156.6, the Gamma for 59.3 and the Delta for 114.
While on skin, the Omicron has a survival time of 21.1 hours, higher than the Alpha (19.6 hours), the Beta (19.1), the Gamma (11) and the Delta (16.8).
The study has yet to be peer-reviewed.
