Dispersion of SARS‐CoV‐2 in air surrounding COVID‐19‐infected individuals with mild symptoms

Abstract

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the transmission modes of SARS‐CoV‐2—particularly the role of aerosol transmission—have been much debated. Accumulating evidence suggests that SARS‐CoV‐2 can be transmitted by aerosols, and not only via larger respiratory droplets. In this study, we quantified SARS‐CoV‐2 in air surrounding 14 test subjects in a controlled setting. All subjects had SARS‐CoV‐2 infection confirmed by a recent positive PCR test and had mild symptoms when included in the study. RT‐PCR and cell culture analyses were performed on air samples collected at distances of one, two, and four meters from test subjects. Oronasopharyngeal samples were taken from consenting test subjects and analyzed by RT‐PCR. Additionally, total aerosol particles were quantified during air sampling trials. Air viral concentrations at one‐meter distance were significantly correlated with both viral loads in the upper airways, mild coughing, and fever. One sample collected at four‐meter distance was RT‐PCR positive. No samples were successfully cultured. The results reported here have potential application for SARS‐CoV‐2 detection and monitoring schemes, and for increasing our understanding of SARS‐CoV‐2 transmission dynamics. Practical implications. In this study, quantification of SARS‐CoV‐2 in air was performed around infected persons with mild symptoms. Such persons may go longer before they are diagnosed and may thus be a disproportionately important epidemiological group. By correlating viral concentrations in air with behavior and symptoms, we identify potential risk factors for viral dissemination in indoor environments. We also show that quantification of total aerosol particles is not a useful strategy for monitoring SARS‐CoV‐2 in indoor environments.

Disinfection and decontamination in the context of SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific data

“…Although early studies at times proposed that SARS‐CoV‐2 was sparsely found in the patient environment, the ubiquity of the environmental presence of the virus in contiguity to the infected patient soon became more obvious 1 . There has been a plethora of investigations since that corroborate the common environmental presence at least of viral RNA 19–36 . These positive determinations have included caregiver garments and accessories.…”

“…The contamination of environmental and other touch surfaces with virus may occur directly or through settling from aerosol distribution. Evidence for potential aerosol distribution continues to emerge, but the consensus suggests that viral particles, as measured mainly through RNA detection, do circulate in air with variable distributions, within variable sizes of air particles, and for varied distances 20,22,24,26,28,30,32,33,35,37,52–56 . Few of these studies have examined for viable virus, but for those that had, positivity was determined, although for few samples 25,30,33,53,55 .…”

“… 1 There has been a plethora of investigations since that corroborate the common environmental presence at least of viral RNA. 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 These positive determinations have included caregiver garments and accessories. Flooring is often underappreciated for contamination.…”

“…Evidence for potential aerosol distribution continues to emerge, but the consensus suggests that viral particles, as measured mainly through RNA detection, do circulate in air with variable distributions, within variable sizes of air particles, and for varied distances. 2 , 20 , 22 , 24 , 26 , 28 , 30 , 32 , 33 , 35 , 37 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 Few of these studies have examined for viable virus, but for those that had, positivity was determined, although for few samples. 25 , 30 , 33 , 53 , 55 Concerns continue to be raised for the distance in which aerosol or airborne transmission can otherwise occur.…”

“… 2 , 20 , 22 , 24 , 26 , 28 , 30 , 32 , 33 , 35 , 37 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 Few of these studies have examined for viable virus, but for those that had, positivity was determined, although for few samples. 25 , 30 , 33 , 53 , 55 Concerns continue to be raised for the distance in which aerosol or airborne transmission can otherwise occur. 2 , 28 , 30 , 32 , 33 , 35 , 54 There are also possible contributions for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units.…”