A Comprehensive Sampling Study on SARS-CoV-2 Contamination of Air and Surfaces in a Large Meat Processing Plant Experiencing COVID-19 Clusters in June 2020

Rooij, Myrna M.T. de; Sikkema, Reina S.; Bouwknegt, Martijn; Geus, Yvette de; Stanoeva, Kamelia R.; Nieuwenweg, Sigrid; Dam, Adriana S G van; Raben, Ceder; Dohmen, Wietske; Heederik, Dick; Reusken, Chantal; Meijer, Adam; Franz, Eelco; Smit, Lidwien A M

doi:10.1097/jom.0000000000002785

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…Estimates of genome copies per cm 2 of SARS-CoV-2 RNA positive surface samples were calculated using a standard curve with no sample collected exceeding 6.6×10 3 genomic copies/cm 2 . While finding limited amounts of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid at sites reporting a COVID-19 cases may seem counter-intuitive, low levels of contamination were reported in similar studies including the in areas recently occupied by symptomatic workers (Gholipour et al ., 2020; Marshall et al ., 2020; Mouchtouri et al ., 2020; Cherrie et al ., 2021; Marcenac et al ., 2021; de Rooij et al ., 2023) and in some clinical settings occupied by infected patients (Ryu et al ., 2020; Goel et al ., 2022; Warren et al ., 2022). Two control sites were also sampled as part of this study; both positive and suspected positive samples were identified at these sites albeit at lower levels than in recruited sites.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Surface sampling for SARS-CoV-2 in workplace outbreak settings in the UK, 2021-22

Nicholls¹,

Spencer²,

Chen

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Aims: To utilise environmental surface sampling to evaluate areas of SARS-CoV-2 contamination within workplaces to identify trends and improve local COVID-control measures. Methods and Results: Surface sampling was undertaken at 12 workplaces that experienced a cluster of COVID-19 cases in the workforce between March 2021 and March 2022. 7.4% (61/829) of samples collected were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA by qPCR with only 1.8% (15/829) of samples identified with crossing threshold (Ct) values below 35.0. No sample returned whole genome sequence inferring RNA detected was degraded. Conclusions: Few workplace surface samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA and positive samples typically contained low levels of nucleic acid. Although these data may infer a low probability of fomite transmission or other forms of transmission within the workplace, Ct values may have been lower at the time of contamination. Workplace environmental sampling identified lapses in COVID-control measures within individual sites and showed trends through the pandemic. Significance and Impact of the Study: Prior to this study, few published reports investigated SARS-CoV-2 RNA contamination within workplaces experiencing cases of COVID-19. This report provides extensive data on environmental sampling identifying trends across workplaces and through the pandemic.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Surface sampling for SARS-CoV-2 in workplace outbreak settings in the UK, 2021-22

Nicholls¹,

Spencer²,

Chen

et al. 2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Investigations into MPP COVID‐19 outbreaks found aerosols were the primary route of SARS‐CoV‐2 transmission among MPP workers (Günther et al, 2020; Pokora et al, 2021). SARS‐CoV‐2 has been detected on fomites in MPP, which represent another potential route of virus transmission and SARS‐CoV‐2 has been shown to on persist various abiotic surfaces under various conditions (Biryukov et al, 2020; Chin et al, 2020; De Rooij et al, 2023; Gidari et al, 2021; Harbourt et al, 2020; King et al, 2020; Kwon et al, 2021a; Pastorino et al, 2020; Riddell et al, 2020; Van Doremalen et al, 2020; Wing et al, 2022). A decrease in temperature correlates with increased persistence of viable SARS‐CoV‐2 on abiotic surfaces while very low (20% or less) and very high (80% or more) relative humidity increases virus inactivation and average (20–80%) relative humidity prolongs virus persistence (Biryukov et al, 2020; Kwon et al, 2021a).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Persistence and recovery of SARS‐CoV‐2 from abiotic and biotic surfaces found in meat processing plants

Russell,

Macori,

Russell

et al. 2023

Journal of Food Safety

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The meat processing industry was negatively affected by the COVID‐19 pandemic. The unique conditions in meat processing plants (MPPs) were recognized to have the potential to increase SARS‐CoV‐2 transmission. Should SARS‐CoV‐2 persist for extended periods in these built environments, this may contribute to increased risk of virus transmission. To test this hypothesis, SARS‐CoV‐2 persistence was assessed in conditions reflective of a MPP. Different biotic/abiotic materials were inoculated with SARS‐CoV‐2 and recovery of viable virus measured over time. Findings showed it was possible to recover SARS‐CoV‐2 from beef, pork, and salmon for at least 22 days at −20°C and for at least 12 days at +4°C. SARS‐CoV‐2 recovery from salmon scales and salmon flesh was similar, but viable virus recovered from pork fat was significantly reduced compared to pork meat. In parallel, foods purchased from Irish supermarkets during a COVID‐19 wave were contemporaneously tested for the presence of SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA but none of the samples tested positive by RT‐qPCR. Viable SARS‐CoV‐2 can be inactivated on food or abiotic surfaces by incubation at 56°C or 75°C but fomite transmission during MPP outbreaks cannot be ruled out due to the recovery of SARS‐CoV‐2 from stainless steel and work clothing fabric for up to 10 h under representative conditions. These data support a multilayered approach to reducing the risk of airborne infections such as SARS‐CoV‐2 that should include mitigations such as increased ventilation, mask wearing, and the disinfection of work surfaces to reduce the amount of SARS‐CoV‐2 in the meat processing plant environment.

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Survival of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in foods and its inactivation by different methods

Jung,

Yeo,

Wang

et al. 2024

Current Opinion in Food Science

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A Comprehensive Sampling Study on SARS-CoV-2 Contamination of Air and Surfaces in a Large Meat Processing Plant Experiencing COVID-19 Clusters in June 2020

Cited by 5 publications

References 48 publications

Surface sampling for SARS-CoV-2 in workplace outbreak settings in the UK, 2021-22

Surface sampling for SARS-CoV-2 in workplace outbreak settings in the UK, 2021-22

Persistence and recovery of SARS‐CoV‐2 from abiotic and biotic surfaces found in meat processing plants

Survival of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in foods and its inactivation by different methods

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