Assessment of air and surfaces contamination in a COVID-19 non-Intensive Care Unit.
Med Lav
; 111(5): 372-378, 2020 Oct 31.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-895853
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome - Coronavirus - 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a virus, primarily transmitted through droplets, able to persist on different surfaces and in the air for several hours. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Health Care Workers should be considered a high risk profession. Beside social distancing rules and the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment, sanitization measures and ventilation system disinfection are essential to reduce viral transmission.OBJECTIVES:
This is the first Italian study aiming to assess the magnitude of environmental contamination in a COVID-19 non-Intensive Care Unit.METHODS:
In addition to ordinary cleaning procedures, surface and air samplings have been performed before and after the application of two different sanitization devices. Samples have been analyzed with Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction in order to find viral RNA.RESULTS:
All samples obtained from surfaces and air before and after extra-ordinary sanitization procedures turned out negative for viral detection.DISCUSSION:
These findings highlight the efficiency of ordinary cleaning procedures in guaranteeing a safer workplace. The adoption of additional sanitization protocols should be considered in order to further reduce environmental viral contamination.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pneumonia, Viral
/
Equipment Contamination
/
Coronavirus Infections
/
Air Microbiology
/
Pandemics
/
Betacoronavirus
/
Hospital Units
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
English
Journal:
Med Lav
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Mdl.v111i5.9991
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS