Absence of SARS-CoV-2 in the air and on the surfaces within the school environment.

ABSTRACT

To the best of our knowledge to date there are no scientific studies specifically investigating whether the SARS-CoV-2 virus is present in the air or on the various surfaces in the school environment. The aim of this study was to determine if SARS-CoV-2 is present on various high touch surfaces and in the air across the elementary, middle and high schools in the Chester County of Pennsylvania, USA. One hundred and fifty surface swab samples and 45 air samples were analysed for the presence of the virus. All the samples tested were negative for the presence of SARS-CoV-2. The results indicate that the spread of the virus through contact and through air in the school buildings across the USA is highly unlikely.