Washing hands is one of the most effective preventive measures during health epidemics. The coronavirus infection pandemic is no different. Since the beginning of the ongoing health crisis, health care experts have emphasized the importance of washing hands with soap. Now, new research states that room temperature water itself also has the ability to kill the virus.
In fact, the study, which was conducted by researchers from the State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology (VECTOR) and published by Russian Federal Service for Human Wellbeing shows that water can eradicate ninety percent of the virus within twenty-four hours and ninety-nine percent within a time period of seventy-two hours.
The temperature of the water is the most important factor when determining whether it is useful against the coronavirus but this does not mean that it needs to be boiling hot. Room temperature water is effective against the infection. However, boiling water can successfully kill the virus instantly.
Although the virus has the ability to thrive in water for a specific amount of time, it cannot multiply. Researchers in the new study state that there is no evidence to show that the coronavirus can divide in freshwater or in the sea.
In addition, the research has further shown that the majority of commercial disinfectants containing at least thirty percent of ethyl and isopropyl alcohols can be effective and kill the coronavirus within minutes. Chlorine-based cleaners can also be used as they can also get rid of coronavirus from surfaces.
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Research prior to this one had suggested that disinfectants and hand sanitizers with at least sixty percent ethyl and isopropyl alcohols work on the coronavirus.
These new findings contradict the previous ones in many ways and show that even after at least seven months after the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, there is still a lot of room for further research.
The Russain research is not the first one to contradict previous claims and studies present on the coronavirus infection. For instance, the research around the transmission, mutation, and treatment of the coronavirus is also constantly changing.
Till now, there is no official treatment for the infection and the medical community strongly advises against the use of drugs which were previously thought to be useful against COVID-19. Anti-malarial drugs including both chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are primary examples.
Even though research has shown that the use of hydroxychloroquine does not benefit coronavirus patients and can in fact make the infection worse by causing heart-related issues such as arrhythmia, the drug is still used in many parts of the world.
In a similar way, the possibility of coronavirus reinfection was considered low a few weeks ago. Now, a number of reports show that the antibodies the body produces as a response to coronavirus can disappear within a time span of months or even a few weeks.
The recent Russain research contradicts many of the previous studies on the virus. However, most of the health organizations still suggest using hand sanitizer and soap along with water to kill coronavirus effectively.
Until there is further investigation on the effectiveness of room temperature water against coronavirus, it is better to follow official guidelines and not risk getting the infection.