SARSCoV-2 survives needs human host for infection and release. Till host is available for its infection and propagation it will persist . Since it is RNA virus it can remain integrated in host genome and be present in latent form. It may express itself under suitable environment. The viruses are self limiting and if no suitable hosta are available it will eventually become weaker after each cycle of infection and release .

Yes, SARS-CoV-2, like other viruses, has the potential to exhibit latent or persistent infection in certain individuals, although the full scope and implications of this are still being studied.

For many viral infections, such as herpesviruses, latent infection refers to the ability of the virus to remain in a dormant state within the host's cells for a long period, with minimal or no viral replication. The situation is more complex for SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, and the evidence for viral latency is still emerging.

SARS-CoV-2 does not establish true latency like herpesviruses, but in immunocompromised patients prolonged viral replication and detectable viral loads can persist for months. Studies have documented ongoing RT-PCR positivity and even culture-capable virus in respiratory and other tissues (e.g., olfactory mucosa, gut), indicating chronic infection rather than classic latency