Detection of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 RNA on Surfaces in Quarantine Rooms

Abstract

S evere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has rapidly spread globally and, as of May 2, 2020, had caused >3 million confirmed coronavirus disease cases (1). Although SARS-CoV-2 transmission through respiratory droplets and direct contact is clear, the potential for transmission through contact with surfaces or objects contaminated with SARS-CoV-2 is poorly understood (2). The virus can be detected on various surfaces in the contaminated environment from symptomatic and paucisymptomatic patients (3,4). Moreover, we recently reported detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on environmental surfaces of a symptomatic patient's household (5). Because SARS-CoV-2 remains viable and infectious from hours to days on surfaces (6,7), contact with a contaminated surface potentially could be a medium for virus transmission. In addition, high viral load in throat swab specimens at symptom onset (8,9) and peak infectiousness at 0-2 days for presymptomatic patients (8) suggest that presymptomatic patients may easily contaminate the environment. However, data are limited on environmental contamination of SARS-CoV-2 by patients who may be presymptomatic. Therefore, to test this hypothesis, we examined the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in collected environmental surface swab specimens from 2 rooms of a centralized quarantine hotel where 2 presymptomatic patients had stayed. The Study Two Chinese students studying overseas returned to China on March 19 (patient A) and March 20 (patient B), 2020 (Table 1). On the day of their arrival in China, neither had fever or clinical symptoms, and they were transferred to a hotel for a 14-day quarantine. They had normal body temperatures (patient A, 36.3°C; patient B, 36.5°C) and no symptoms when they checked into the hotel. During the quarantine period, local medical staff were to monitor their body temperature and symptoms each morning and afternoon. On the morning of the second day of quarantine, they had no fever (patient A, 36.2°C; patient B, 36.7°C) or symptoms. At the same time their temperatures were taken, throat swab samples were collected; both tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA by real-time reverse transcription PCR (rRT-PCR). The students were transferred to a local hospital for treatment. At admission, they remained presymptomatic, but nasopharyngeal swab, sputum, and fecal samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA with high viral loads (Table 1). In patient A, fever (37.5°C) and cough developed on day 2 of hospitalization, but his chest computed tomography images showed no significant abnormality during hospitalization. In patient B, fever (37.9°C) and cough developed on day 6 of

Detection and infectivity potential of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) environmental contamination in isolation units and quarantine facilities

“…Contamination with SARS-CoV-2 RNA has been found in multiple environmental sampling studies in hospitals, including contaminated surfaces and objects commonly used by staff (including footwear) [6,7,9]. Environmental contamination was also shown in 8/22 samples from a room of a pre-symptomatic patient [8]. Inability to detect contamination in isolation units [12,13] might demonstrate the success of extensive and frequent disinfection routines instituted in those hospitals.…”

COVID-19 and Public Transportation: Current Assessment, Prospects, and Research Needs

“…Regarding enhanced hygiene and cleaning standards, it has been found that the COVID-19 virus remains infectious from hours to days on different types of surfaces, including plastic and stainless steel (Fa-Chun et al 2020;van Doremalen et al 2020). Therefore, physical contact with a contaminated surface is a potential mode of COVID-19 transmission.…”

Environmental contamination in a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) intensive care unit—What is the risk?

“…22 studies were identified that conducted environmental sampling of SARS-CoV-2. Two studies were excluded as they were conducted outside of acute healthcare settings (one in a hotel quarantine facility, and one in community long-term care facilities) 18,28 . Of the 20 remaining studies (Table 5)…”