Coronavirus Could Last In Shoe Surface For 5 Days, Says Health Experts

Coronavirus is a communicable infection where the virus causing pneumonia is easily transferred not just from human to human but from objects to humans as well. It is known to live on many surfaces and depending on the material, it can live there from three hours to days.

This explains why COVID-19 is spreading at a fast rate. People hold doorknobs, carton boxes, plastics and coronavirus can live on these items for hours so they infect people easily. Research shows that the virus remains on hard, shiny surfaces like plastic and metal as they are transferred through droplets, for up to 72 hours.

And in a new report, it was stated that shoes may be the worst carrier because experts already labeled them as a “breeding ground” for germs. According to the Daily Mail, Mary E. Schmidt, infectious disease specialist revealed that coronavirus can survive on leather, rubber and PVC-based soles of shoes for up to five days or more.

This means that almost all types of footwear are likely to pick up and carry the virus anywhere. This is bad because it simply suggests that people can bring the infectious disease to their homes and spread COVID-19 to the family.

The soles of the shoes can house bacteria, fungi and viruses since they are always in contact with the dirty ground. Whereas the top or upper part is where the respiratory droplets, carried through the air, after being dispensed from an infected person, can land.

In any case, in a study conducted by microbiologists at the University of Arizona and published in 2008, it seems to confirm that the claim about shoes being a carrier of coronavirus is correct. The research stated that soles of shoes have at least 421,000 bacteria, viruses and parasites.

"The common occurrence (96 percent) of coliform and E. coli bacteria on the outside of the shoes indicates frequent contact with fecal material, which most likely originates from floors in public restrooms or contact with animal fecal material outdoors," Dr. Charles Gerba, the lead researcher said. "Our study also indicated that bacteria can be tracked by shoes over a long distance into your home or personal space after the shoes were contaminated with bacteria."

Finally, the claim made by Schmidt is also supported by Carole Winner, the Kansas City public health specialist. She also said that shoes made with plastic and synthetic materials can carry live viruses for days. This is why she is advising everyone to leave their shoes in the garage or front door when coming inside the house to be safe from COVID-19.