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Investigating Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Surface and Air Contamination in an Acute Healthcare Setting During the Peak of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic in London.
Zhou, Jie; Otter, Jonathan A; Price, James R; Cimpeanu, Cristina; Meno Garcia, Danel; Kinross, James; Boshier, Piers R; Mason, Sam; Bolt, Frances; Holmes, Alison H; Barclay, Wendy S.
  • Zhou J; Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
  • Otter JA; National Institute for Healthcare Research Health Protection Research Unit in Health-care Associated Infection and Antimicrobial resistance, Imperial College London & Public Health England, Hammersmith Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
  • Price JR; Imperial College Healthcare National Health Service Trust, St. Mary's Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
  • Cimpeanu C; National Institute for Healthcare Research Health Protection Research Unit in Health-care Associated Infection and Antimicrobial resistance, Imperial College London & Public Health England, Hammersmith Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
  • Meno Garcia D; Imperial College Healthcare National Health Service Trust, St. Mary's Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
  • Kinross J; Imperial College Healthcare National Health Service Trust, St. Mary's Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
  • Boshier PR; Imperial College Healthcare National Health Service Trust, St. Mary's Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
  • Mason S; Imperial College Healthcare National Health Service Trust, St. Mary's Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
  • Bolt F; Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London , London, United Kingdom.
  • Holmes AH; Imperial College Healthcare National Health Service Trust, St. Mary's Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
  • Barclay WS; Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London , London, United Kingdom.
Clin Infect Dis ; 73(7): e1870-e1877, 2021 10 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1455249
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

We evaluated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) surface and air contamination during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in London.

METHODS:

Prospective, cross-sectional, observational study in a multisite London hospital. Air and surface samples were collected from 7 clinical areas occupied by patients with COVID-19 and a public area of the hospital. Three or four 1.0-m3 air samples were collected in each area using an active air sampler. Surface samples were collected by swabbing items in the immediate vicinity of each air sample. SARS-CoV-2 was detected using reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and viral culture; the limit of detection for culturing SARS-CoV-2 from surfaces was determined.

RESULTS:

Viral RNA was detected on 114 of 218 (52.3%) surfaces and in 14 of 31 (38.7%) air samples, but no virus was cultured. Viral RNA was more likely to be found in areas immediately occupied by COVID-19 patients than in other areas (67 of 105 [63.8%] vs 29 of 64 [45.3%]; odds ratio, 0.5; 95% confidence interval, 0.2-0.9; P = .025, χ2 test). The high PCR cycle threshold value for all samples (>30) indicated that the virus would not be culturable.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our findings of extensive viral RNA contamination of surfaces and air across a range of acute healthcare settings in the absence of cultured virus underlines the potential risk from environmental contamination in managing COVID-19 and the need for effective use of personal protective equipment, physical distancing, and hand/surface hygiene.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 Type of study: Cohort study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: Clin Infect Dis Journal subject: Communicable Diseases Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Cid

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 Type of study: Cohort study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: Clin Infect Dis Journal subject: Communicable Diseases Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Cid