COVID-19 May Be Hiding in Your Freezer for Weeks

From a place to keep foods to a place to hide viruses! A new study warns that your own refrigerator may be the cause of your infection with COVID-19 as researchers have found that the virus can live inside various meat products that people keep in their refrigerators or freezers for more than 30 days.

An Unprecedented Outbreak Led to the Discovery of the Truth

This study came after hearing reports of COVID-19 outbreaks in areas of Southeast Asia that did not have previous records of infection with the virus, which led researchers to think of many possible causes, most notably packaged meat products, which are produced in areas where SARS-CoV-2 is spreading.

The study involved examining packaged meat products that had been exposed to surrogate viruses that had spike proteins similar to SARS-CoV-2 but less harmful to people and that had been stored in refrigerators at 39.2°F and in freezers at -4°F to discover if these viruses can survive in this environment or not.

Food-based Viral Transmission

The results showed that COVID-19 is more resistant to cold, and the study authors also noted that the viral loads that live in frozen meat differ according to the food. In addition to that, the researchers reported that SARS-CoV-2 is able to multiply within a person’s intestines, as well as the respiratory system, as previous studies have indicated that COVID-19 actually affects a patient's gut before respiratory symptoms begin, and this makes studying food-based viral transmission even more important during the pandemic.

The researchers concluded that we need continued efforts to prevent contamination of foods, food processing surfaces, workers' hands, and food processing equipment. Also, we must address the lack or inadequate disinfection of these foods before packaging to protect consumers.

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