Aims: Assess the feasibility of using light from artificial sun lamps to decontaminate N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) contaminated with SARS-CoV-2. Methods and Results: FFR coupons or whole FFRs contaminated with 5 log 10 TCID 50 (target concentration) SARS-CoV-2 in culture media, simulated saliva, or simulated lung fluid were dried for 1-2 h, then exposed to light from tanning and horticulture lamps to assess decontamination. Exposed coupons and whole FFRs showed SARS-CoV-2 inactivation for all matrices tested. Furthermore, FFRs still met performance specifications after five decontamination cycles. Conclusions: It is feasible that artificial sunlight from these sun lamps can be used to decontaminate FFRs provided the UV dose is sufficient and the light is unobstructed. Furthermore, decontamination can be performed up to five times without degrading FFR performance. Significance and Impact of the Study: This research shows a proof of principle that artificial sun lamps may be an option to decontaminate SARS-CoV-2 on N95 FFRs. UV doses required for inactivation to levels below detection ranged from 4 to 37Á8 J cm À2 depending on the light source, virus matrix and FFR type.

Aims Assess the persistence of infectious SARS-CoV-2 virus and virus genomic material on three common food coverings. Methods and Results The stability of infectious virus and genomic material on plastic wrap, fruit wax, and cardboard takeout containers was measured. SARS-CoV-2 in simulated saliva was applied to the surface of these materials and allowed to dry. Samples were stored at 4°C or 20°C and a relative humidity of 30%, 50%, 65%, or 70% for up to 7 days. Viability was measured by TCID50 and the half-life for infectious virus was determined to be ~24 hours and ~8 hours at 4°C and 20°C, respectively, on all surfaces and RH tested. There was no loss of virus genomic material as measured by qRT-PCR at all conditions evaluated. Conclusions SARS-CoV-2 virus remains infectious on food coverings for hours to days. It is estimated that a 99.9% reduction in titer requires 10 days at 4°C and 3 days at 20°C for all RH tested. SARS-CoV-2 genomic material showed no loss when assayed by qRT-PCR. Significance and Impact of Study: SARS-CoV-2 virus on food coverings loses infectivity over a certain period, but PCR assays can still detect virus genomic material throughout the same time. Thus, testing and controls may need to consider the fact that virus genomic material may still be detected when no infectious virus is present.

To assess the persistence of infectious SARS-CoV-2 virus and virus genomic material on food, food materials at common refrigerated and frozen storage temperatures were evaluated. The stability of infectious virus and genomic material on shrimp, tilapia, and wet dog food was measured. SARS-CoV-2 in simulated saliva was applied to the surface of these foods and subsequently stored at 4°C and 65% relative humidity (RH) or -20°C and ambient humidity for up to 7 days. Infectious titer was measured by median tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50), and it was determined that virus inactivation did not demonstrate a significant difference between the two conditions and three foods tested with a half-life of approximately 56 days. Assays for virus genomic material as measured by quantitative RT-PCR showed no loss for all conditions and foods evaluated. Thus, both infectious virus and virus genomic material persist on these food items for more than 1 week.

The QS-B220 Explosives Trace Detector (ETD; Implant Sciences Corporation, Wilmington, MA, USA) was tested to determine whether Sample Traps (Impant Sciences Part No. 42200191 REV) contaminated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) can be effectively decontaminated for re-use during normal operation. Sample Traps were inoculated with a known concentration of SARS-CoV-2 (strain USA-WA1/2020), allowed to dry at ambient conditions, and inserted into the QS-8220 ETD’s Sample Desorber (i.e., the sample port). During normal operation, heat is generated and directed at the Sample Trap undergoing analysis, and it was the heating process that was evaluated for decontamination efficacy against the virus. Each Sample Trap was inserted into the QS-8220 ETD at least two times (constituted a single exposure) to ensure that it was completely heated. Multiple exposures were tested, but it only took a single exposure inside the QS-8220 ETD to result in no recoverable infectious SARS-CoV-2 (based on the 1.31 × 101 median tissue culture infectious dose [TCID50] limit of detection) and expressed as 5.29 log reduction from the Sample Traps.