Airborne SARS-CoV-2 in home and hospital environments investigated with a high-powered air sampler

Man, Peter de; Ortiz, Marco A.; Bluyssen, Philomena M.; Man, Stijn J. de; Rentmeester, Marie-Jozé; Vliet, Marijke van der; Wils, Evert‐Jan; Ong, David S. Y.

doi:10.1016/j.jhin.2021.10.018

Cited by 11 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…showing the frequent detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in air samples that were taken in repetition or from different locations for every individual participant. 2,3 This study also has important limitations to consider. First, the observed C t -value of the positive air sample filters was high (median: 36.1, IQR: 34.8-36.9).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…7 The collection of clinical data and detailed methodology of air sampling and harvesting viral RNA from the sample filters was performed as previously described. 2,3 In short, an IIR type surgical face mask (Romed Holland, type MASK-L) was used as a sample filter placed on the hose inlet of a vacuum cleaner (Nilfisk household vacuum cleaner, with high-efficiency particulate air filter). Air was sampled for 2.5 min at two separate locations sequentially: 50 cm behind and 30 cm above the patient's head (i.e., dorsal sample) and 50 cm in front and 30 cm below (i.e., ventral sample).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Airborne virus shedding of the alpha, delta, omicron SARS‐CoV‐2 variants and influenza virus in hospitalized patients

Ong

Man

Verhagen

et al. 2023

Journal of Medical Virology

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Airborne transmission is an important transmission route for the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Epidemiological data indicate that certain SARS-CoV-2 variants, like the omicron variant, are associated with higher transmissibility. We compared virus detection in air samples between hospitalized patients infected with different SARS-CoV-2 variants or influenza virus.The study was performed during three separate time periods in which subsequently the alpha, delta, and omicron SARS-CoV-2 variants were predominant. In total, 79 patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and 22 patients with influenza A virus infection were included. Collected air samples were positive in 55% of patients infected with the omicron variant in comparison to 15% of those infected with the delta variant (p < 0.01). In multivariable analysis, the SARS-CoV-2 omicron BA.1/ BA.2 variant (as compared to the delta variant) and the viral load in nasopharynx were both independently associated with air sample positivity, but the alpha variant and COVID-19 vaccination were not. The proportion of positive air samples patients infected with the influenza A virus was 18%. In conclusion, the higher air sample positivity rate of the omicron variant compared to previous SARS-CoV-2 variants may partially explain the higher transmission rates seen in epidemiological trends.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Airborne virus shedding of the alpha, delta, omicron SARS‐CoV‐2 variants and influenza virus in hospitalized patients

Ong

Man

Verhagen

et al. 2023

Journal of Medical Virology

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“…These results show the early detection of virus in the public can avoid massive infection by identifying pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals through executing the actions such as easily available of testing and quarantine. Also, we did not investigate SARS-CoV-2 spread in other hospital areas (non-CWs) but the existence of SARS-CoV-2 was proved in the air environment where a crowd congregated such as outside the hospital entrances (2 copies m −3 ) (Stern et al, 2021a ), hallway of non-CW (Santarpia et al, 2020 ), the nurse’s station of non-CWs (about 47 copies m −3 ) (Stern et al, 2021b ), department stores inside of the hospital (11 copies m −3 ) (Liu et al, 2020 ), or inside of a car (3.14 × 10 4 copies m −3 ) (Lednicky et al, 2021 ), inside of the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems of dormitories (Sousan et al, 2021 ), the public places and transportation facilities (Hadei et al, 2021 ), and at homes of infected individuals (de Man et al, 2021 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Air Surveillance for Viral Contamination with SARS-CoV-2 RNA at a Healthcare Facility

et al. 2022

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The transmission pathway of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 also called COVID-19 disease) in indoor environments are the main area of contention between health systems and scientists. In this context, little has been investigated about the collection of airborne viral shedding. Here, we collected air samples from 24 locations inside the sole COVID-19 patient care center in Zabol, Iran, for screening SARS-CoV-2 RNA from March to May 2021. Locations included the ICU, COVID-19 wards (CWs) rooms, corridors, nearby nurses’ stations, and toilets. We identified the SARS-CoV-2 RNA in breathing zone of CW, in room air, with the positivity rate of 2.5% at a concentration of 17 × 10 3 virus genome copies/m 3 air. It also investigates the relationship between local climate conditions [i.e., temperature and relative humidity] and COVID-19 transmission with the evolution of daily official data on the number of new cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. Current data explained that the difference of temperature and humidity may affect the behavior of virus along with other factors, i.e., population density, individual viral shedding, and infectious dose of SARS-CoV-2 (both indoor and outdoor). Our data support the potential SARS-CoV-2 airborne transmission indoors suggesting the specific safety assessment of building to improve ventilation solutions besides proper using face masks and extensive public health interventions.

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“…Also, de Man et. al that found 4 in 17 air samples of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to be positive for SARS-CoV-2 38 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of real and perceived risk to health care workers caring for patients with the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in surgery and obstetrics

Nair

Kozak

Alavi

et al. 2022

Preprint

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IntroductionThe Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is described as more contagious than previous variants. We sought to assess risk to healthcare workers (HCWs) caring for patients with COVID-19 in surgical/obstetrical settings, and the perception of risk amongst this group.MethodsFrom January to April, 2022, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA in patient, environmental (floor, equipment, passive air) samples, and HCW’s masks (inside surface) during urgent surgery or obstetrical delivery for patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The primary outcome was the proportion of HCWs’ masks testing positive. Results were compared with our previous cross-sectional study involving obstetrical/surgical patients with earlier variants (2020/21). HCWs completed a risk perception electronic questionnaire.Results11 patients were included: 3 vaginal births and 8 surgeries. 5/108 samples (5%) tested positive (SARS-CoV-2 Omicron) viral RNA: 2/5 endotracheal tubes, 1/22 floor samples, 1/4 patient masks and 1 nasal probe. No samples from the HCWs masks (0/35), surgical equipment (0/10) and air samples (0/11) tested positive. No significant differences were found between the Omicron and 2020/21 patient groups’ positivity rates (Mann-Whitney U test, p = 0.838) or the level of viral load from the nasopharyngeal swabs (p = 0.405). Nurses had a higher risk perception than physicians (p = 0.038).ConclusionNo significant difference in contamination rates were found between SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 and previous variants in surgical/obstetrical settings. This is reassuring as no HCW mask was positive and no HCW tested positive for COVID-19 post-exposure.

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Airborne SARS-CoV-2 in home and hospital environments investigated with a high-powered air sampler

Cited by 11 publications

References 24 publications

Airborne virus shedding of the alpha, delta, omicron SARS‐CoV‐2 variants and influenza virus in hospitalized patients

Airborne virus shedding of the alpha, delta, omicron SARS‐CoV‐2 variants and influenza virus in hospitalized patients

Air Surveillance for Viral Contamination with SARS-CoV-2 RNA at a Healthcare Facility

Evaluation of real and perceived risk to health care workers caring for patients with the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in surgery and obstetrics

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