Are Mobile Phones part of the chain of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the hospital?

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 cross-transmission has become an concern in hospitals. We investigate healthcare workers(HCWs) knowledge about SARS-CoV-2 cross-transmission and conceptions whether the virus can remain on HCWs mobile phones(MPs) and be part of the chain of transmission. A cross-sectional study was conducted at a COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit of a teaching-hospital. Fifty-one MPs were swabbed and a questionnaire about hand hygiene and MP use and disinfection was applied after an educational campaign. Although most of HCWs believed on the importance of cross-transmission and increased hand hygiene adhesion and MP disinfection during the pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in two MPs(culture of the samples was negative). Implementation of official hospital policies to guide HCWs regarding disinfection and care of personal MP are needed.

Surveillance of specific pathogens on mobile phones in aerosol and non-aerosol generating dental clinics during the COVID pandemic

“…9 Transmission of microbes could be from other surfaces, the environment, different dental procedures they busy with, from patients on whom they work and from each other or just the extended time of using their mobile phones. [3][4][5][6]9 These outcomes are no different to other studies published on this matter, though a difference was expected due to the strict protocols that most healthcare facilities included during the COVID-19 pandemic the world was experiencing. 6,17 It was also recommended that the COVID-19 protocols should be strictly adhered to within these healthcare settings especially, because that would ensure the safety of all patients, staff and students.…”