Air and surface contamination in non-health care settings among 641 environmental specimens of 39 COVID-19 cases

Luo, Lei; Liú, Dan; Zhang, Hao; Li, Zhihao; Zhen, Ruonan; Zhang, Xiru; Xie, Hua; Song, Weiqi; Liu, Jie; Huang, Qingmei; Li, Jingwen; Yang, Xingfen; Chen, Zongqiu; Chen, Mao

doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0008570

Cited by 35 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs primarily through respiratory routes, but transmission from contaminated surfaces, or fomites, has been a concern. SARS-CoV-2 RNA has been detected on surfaces in healthcare [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] and community [9,10] settings, residences [11], quarantine rooms [3,12], and a cruise ship [13]; however, attempts to culture virus from environmental samples testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 have not been successful [2,3,6,7,13]. Only studies examining the stability of SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces in controlled laboratory settings have found that viable virus can be recovered from plastic and stainless steel for 3-4 days [14,15] and in one study up to 28 days [16], while persistence on porous surfaces, including cardboard and cotton, is shorter [15,16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 on Surfaces in Households of Persons with COVID-19

Marcenac

Park

Duca

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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SARS-CoV-2 transmission from contaminated surfaces, or fomites, has been a concern during the COVID-19 pandemic. Households have been important sites of transmission throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, but there is limited information on SARS-CoV-2 contamination of surfaces in these settings. We describe environmental detection of SARS-CoV-2 in households of persons with COVID-19 to better characterize the potential risks of fomite transmission. Ten households with ≥1 person with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and with ≥2 members total were enrolled in Utah, U.S.A. Nasopharyngeal and anterior nasal swabs were collected from members and tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR. Fifteen surfaces were sampled in each household and tested for presence and viability of SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 23 (15%) of 150 environmental swab samples, most frequently on nightstands (4/6; 67%), pillows (4/23; 17%), and light switches (3/21; 14%). Viable SARS-CoV-2 was cultured from one sample. All households with SARS-CoV-2-positive surfaces had ≥1 person who first tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 ≤ 6 days prior to environmental sampling. SARS-CoV-2 surface contamination occurred early in the course of infection when respiratory transmission is most likely, notably on surfaces in close, prolonged contact with persons with COVID-19. While fomite transmission might be possible, risk is low.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 on Surfaces in Households of Persons with COVID-19

Marcenac

Park

Duca

et al. 2021

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…On the contrary, surface contamination in non-healthcare settings is still poorly studied. In fact, to date, community environments have been studied with reference to episodes of infection, while as far as we know no recreational facilities have been targeted for investigation, especially after sanitation [ 15 ]. These premises lead us to reflect about investigating community environments frequented by many people.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First Detection of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 on the Surfaces of Tourist-Recreational Facilities in Italy

Montagna

Giglio

Calia

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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A Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by a new virus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), spreads via direct contact through droplets produced by infected individuals. The transmission of this virus can also occur via indirect contact if objects and surfaces are contaminated by secretions from individuals with COVID-19 or asymptomatic carriers. Environmental contamination with SARS-CoV-2 is high in hospital settings; on the contrary, surface contamination in non-healthcare settings is still poorly studied. In this study, the presence of SARS-CoV-2 on the surfaces of 20 tourist-recreational facilities was investigated by performing a total of 100 swabs on surfaces, including refrigerator handles, handrails, counters, tables, and bathroom access doors. Six (6%) swabs from four (20%) tourist-recreational facilities tested positive for SARS-CoV-2; the surfaces that were involved were toilet door handles, refrigerator handles, handrails, and bar counters. This study highlights that SARS-CoV-2 is also present in non-healthcare environments; therefore, in order to limit this worrying pandemic, compliance with behavioral rules and the adoption of preventive and protective measures are of fundamental importance not only in healthcare or work environments but also in life environments.

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“…All facilities of all sizes should initiate, on a regularly scheduled basis, air exchange where a high percentage of air within an enclosed environment is exhausted to the outside with the replacement of fresh air. Most facilities currently recirculate their ventilated air, which can contribute to the distribution/spread of the SARS-CoV-2 particle throughout the facility [ 13 , 14 ]. With traditional shared building air exchange systems (ventilation), one infected person in a facility can within minutes contaminate the entire facility [ 15 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Guidelines for Reopening a Nation in a SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: A Path Forward

Baker

Greiner

2021

Medicina

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Action, not fear, is the path forward in the coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Since early 2020, the world’s nations have faced conundrums over severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections resulting in COVID-19 resulting in national closures, and thus, a clear understandable plan that nations can implement is required to reopen. The healthcare benefits of reopening a nation more likely than not exceed the benefits of continued pandemic-related closure. Pandemic-related closures have resulted in countless delayed or avoided urgent care evaluations. Furthermore, routine care of acute and chronic illnesses, including evaluations, diagnoses, and treatments, has also been delayed. Isolation, loss of income, and fear have resulted in mental health conditions or exacerbated existing conditions. The magnitude of untoward ramifications is unknown and may ultimately represent an inestimable degree of danger and morbidity, and even death. Purpose. The pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 has created an atmosphere of fear of COVID-19 that has directly and indirectly injured the world’s population. Since this has resulted in increasing morbidity and mortality, creating economic chaos, and near systemic collapse of educational systems with no well described plan forward, it is the purpose of this study to provide guidelines that provide a path forward to safely open a nation. Physicians often equipped by their education, training, and experiences across disciplines are uniquely positioned to comprehend, coordinate, and teach other physicians, business owners, and municipal and government leaders from guidelines. As such, physicians may take the lead in a path forward to reopening a nation, including opening businesses, educational facilities, and religious establishments, while minimizing the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Method. Reviews of the literature among the disciplines of environmental air, sanitation, social interaction, medical testing, vaccination, protection, and disease prevention and safety allowed for the conceptualization and eventual genesis of identifiable interventions which either reduce the viral load in the environment or inactivate the virus from replication. Each of the guidelines was selected based on the principle that it involved the elimination or inactivation of the viral particle. With a reduction in viral load or inactivation of replication, the implementation of these guidelines is expected to allow for reopening a nation with an increased level of safety. Results. The guidelines identified, including air exchange (ventilation), air filtration, personal protective filtering devices (masks), hand hygiene, social distancing, screening and testing, vaccines, high-risk patient protection, medical management, and adjunctive therapies, are described and referenced. Conclusions. In that the pandemic is primarily a public health issue, the path forward is best coordinated by local, regional, and national physicians. Many physicians with a breadth of experiences are uniquely positioned to coordinate the implementation of these interdisciplinary guidelines. Using these guidelines as a planned, coordinated action, not fear, is a path forward. Nations have a decision to make: closuring versus opening.

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Air and surface contamination in non-health care settings among 641 environmental specimens of 39 COVID-19 cases

Cited by 35 publications

References 38 publications

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 on Surfaces in Households of Persons with COVID-19

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 on Surfaces in Households of Persons with COVID-19

First Detection of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 on the Surfaces of Tourist-Recreational Facilities in Italy

Guidelines for Reopening a Nation in a SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: A Path Forward

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