New COVID-19 research suggests conditions associated with superyachts could kill Coronavirus in 2 minutes

Our most striking observation to date is the powerful effect solar light seems to have on killing the virus, both surfaces and in the air.

Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate boss Bill Bryan

What does the new Coronavirus research mean for yachts?

The findings suggest that even if COVID-19 particles were introduced on a yacht, they might die quickly before being able to infect anyone.

Yachts are maintained to the highest standards of hygiene already, and yacht crew are currently being extra vigilant about cleanliness and maintaining a sterile on-board environment. 

However, if a small number of particles were transmitted onto a yacht, these findings suggest that they would not be able to survive for longer than 2 minutes in direct sunlight on certain surfaces.

What do the new COVID-19 findings mean for the wider world?

Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate boss Bill Bryan presented the findings at the White House news conference on Thursday in the presence of President Donald Trump.

“Our most striking observation to date is the powerful effect solar light seems to have on killing the virus, both surfaces and in the air.” Commented Bryan. 

“We’ve seen a similar effect with temperature and humidity as well, where increasing the temperature and humidity – or both – is generally less favorable to the virus.”

Bryan showed that the research suggests that the ‘half life’ – the time it takes for the number of virus particles to decay and halve in number – dramatically decreases as the weather warms up and UV levels increase.

Commenting on the findings, Bryan claimed: “The virus is dying at a much more rapid rate just from exposure to higher temperatures…In summary, within the conditions we’ve tested to date, the virus in droplets of saliva survives best in indoors and dry conditions. 

“The virus does not survive as well in droplets of saliva, and dies the quickest in the presence of direct sunlight in these conditions.” Stated Bryan.

How will warmer weather impact the Coronavirus?

Bryan was quick to point out that it would be ‘irresponsible’ to suggest that summer weather would kill the virus, as these findings are still in their early stages.

However, weather and UV rays often play an important factor in the transmission of infectious diseases. Transmission of the flu, for example, usually correlates with cold temperatures and dry air. 

Speaking to Bloomberg, William Schaffner, an infectious disease professor at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee said;  “We know that respiratory viruses are quite seasonal. Coronaviruses are also respiratory viruses, and we had hope and anticipation it would be, too.” However, it’s still not clear that this new strain, known as Sars-Cov-2, will show significant seasonal variation.