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KMID : 0191120200350370332
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Journal of Korean Medical Science
2020 Volume.35 No. 37 p.332 ~ p.332
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Air and Environmental Contamination Caused by COVID-19 Patients: a Multi-Center Study
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Kim Uh-Jin
Lee Seung-Yeob
Lee Ji-Yeon
Lee Ah-Rang
Kim Seung-Eun
Choi Ok-Ja
Lee Ji-Suk
Kee Seung-Jung
Jang Hee-Chang
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Abstract
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Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of air and surface contamination of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in four health care facilities with hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.
Methods: We investigated air and environmental contamination in the rooms of eight COVID-19 patients in four hospitals. Some patients were in negative-pressure rooms, and others were not. None had undergone aerosol-generating procedures. On days 0, 3, 5, and 7 of hospitalization, the surfaces in the rooms and anterooms were swabbed, and air samples were collected 2 m from the patient and from the anterooms.
Results: All 52 air samples were negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Widespread surface contamination of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was observed. In total, 89 of 320 (27%) environmental surface samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Surface contamination of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was common in rooms without surface disinfection and in rooms sprayed with disinfectant twice a day. However, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was not detected in a room cleaned with disinfectant wipes on a regular basis.
Conclusion: Our data suggest that remote (> 2 m) airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from hospitalized COVID-19 patients is uncommon when aerosol-generating procedures have not been performed. Surface contamination was widespread, except in a room routinely cleaned with disinfectant wipes.
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KEYWORD
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SARS-CoV-2, Transmission, Environmental Sampling, Droplet
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