SUNLIGHT could kill the coronavirus within minutes, the US Department of Homeland Security claimed on Thursday.
New research from the DHS Science and Technology directorate found that high humidity, temperatures, and sunlight kills the virus in saliva droplets on non-porous surfaces and in the air.
“Our most striking observation to date is the powerful effect that solar light appears to have in killing the virus on surfaces and in the air,” said DHS Science and Technology Advisor Bill Bryan.
“We’ve seen a similar effect as well where increasing the temperature and humidity or both is generally less favorable to the virus.”
The findings of the joint effort between the DHS’s Science and Technology directorate and the White House’s coronavirus task force was revealed at a press briefing on Thursday.
The virus dies quickest in the presence of direct sunlight, and it survives best in indoor conditions, the study found.
The research also showed that bleach and other disinfectants quickly killed the virus on surfaces.
President Trump later drew criticism for suggesting that coronavirus patients could be injected with disinfectant, which is extremely harmful when ingested by humans.
Advising Americans on how best to sanitise their homes, Bryan continued: “I can tell you that bleach will kill the virus in five minutes, isopropyl alcohol will kill the virus in 30 seconds.
“And that’s with no manipulation. If you rub it, it goes away even faster.”
The DHS will continue to look at the virus in saliva and how it reacts to different environments and substances.
Although “summer-like conditions” will lead to a decrease in virus transmissions, Bryan said Americans aren’t yet in the clear to return back to normal outings.
“It would be irresponsible to say the summer will kill the virus and it’s a free for all and people ignore guidance,” Bryan said.
“That’s not the case.”
Footage showed Dr Deborah Birx, the White House Coronavirus Coordinator, reacting to the president’s suggestion that disinfectant could be used as a coronavirus treatment.
Birx could be seen looking towards Bryan and then awkwardly at the ground as the president spoke.