COVID-19 (coronavirus) advice for the UQ community - HEALTH - COVID-19 Virus Transmission

It is not certain how long the virus that causes COVID-19 survives on surfaces. Studies suggest that coronaviruses (including preliminary information on the COVID-19 virus) may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. This may vary under different conditions, including the type of surface, temperature and humidity. 

If you would like further information on how to decontaminate surfaces the World Health Organisation also has an FAQ specifically on this topic.

There are two specific UQ safety notes - one on cleaning and one on disinfecting. 

The virus may be transferred if you are in close contact with a person with the virus. You can also contract the virus if it is on a surface that you touch, such as a handrail or door handle, and you then touch your face (especially your mouth, eyes or nose). Using a hand sanitiser or regularly washing your hands can help to reduce the risk.

The risk is currently low as there are very few active cases in Queensland and no evidence of local community transmission.

For more advice, please consult the safety note for public transport.

The 'incubation period' means the time between catching the virus (infection) and beginning to experience symptoms of the disease. The period of time between infection and the onset of symptoms remains unclear. Most estimates of the incubation period for COVID-19 range from 1-14 days, most commonly around five days. Health authorities are taking a precautionary approach and are treating cases as infectious 24 hours prior to a person becoming unwell.

There is some evidence that the virus can be transferred through faecal matter, as can many other diseases and illnesses. Good hand hygiene is imperative, especially after going to the toilet.

The virus can be transferred from hand-to-hand contact if you then touch your mouth, nose or eyes. This is why it is very important to wash your hands frequently and to avoid touching your face as much as possible. Avoid touching other people and practise physical distancing - see our FAQ on this topic for more information. 

The risk of virus transmission is dependent on proximity. Prolonged close contact with an infected person, contact with droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze, or touching your face after handling infected objects (such as sharing the pen or phone of an infected person), will increase the opportunity for the coronavirus to transmit.

The physical distancing requirements are to reduce the prevalence of transferring the virus from person to person. Current physical distancing advice is to keep at least 1.5m away from others.  Washing your hands frequently is also important. Download a hand washing poster.