ABSTRACT
Background To detect the contamination of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the surroundings of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and to evaluate the effectiveness of regular disinfectants and combinations against SARS-CoV-2 RNA.Methods We sampled the patients’ high contact surfaces in COVID-19 pediatric quarantine wards from April to June 2022. After conducting cleaning procedures using disinfectants, including trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA; 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/L), 5% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), 0.5% povidone-iodine (PI), 75% ethanol (EA), 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG), 0.2% quaternary ammonia compound (QAC), and five combinations, environmental samples in bathroom were collected at 0, 30 s, 10, 30, and 60 min. All samples were delivered to the medical laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid (ORF1ab and N) detection using real-time PCR.Results SARS-CoV-2 RNA was largely detected on surfaces in the COVID-19 quarantine ward and was highest in the floor, bathroom, and bed sheet. The ORF1ab and N genes remained detectable after 60 min of treatment with QAC, PI, EA, and CHG. H2O2 and TCCA2000 completely degraded SARS-CoV-2 RNA in 30 s, which was faster than TCCA1000 (10 min). Clearance of ORF1ab and N by TCCA500 required 10 and 60 min, respectively, whereas combination of TCCA500 with EA or PI destroyed ORF1ab and N faster at 30 s and 30 min, respectively.Conclusion The surroundings of patients with COVID-19 are contaminated by SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Effectiveness of disinfectants and combinations varies, N gene persists longer time than ORF1ab after some disinfection.