Distribution of SARS-CoV-2 RNA Signal in a Home with COVID-19 Positive Occupants

Abstract

Although many COVID-19 patients quarantine and recover at home, the dispersal of SARS-CoV-2 onto surfaces and dust within the home environment remains poorly understood. To investigate the distribution and persistence of SARS-CoV-2 in a quarantine home, samples were collected from a household with two confirmed COVID-19 cases (one adult and one child). Home surface swab and dust samples were collected two months after symptom onset (and one month after symptom resolution) in the household. The strength of the SARS-CoV-2 molecular signal in fomites varied as a function of sample location, surface material and cleaning practices. Notably, the SARS-CoV-2 RNA signal was detected at several locations throughout the household although cleaning appears to have attenuated the signal on many surfaces. Of the 24 surfaces sampled, 46% were SARS-CoV-2 positive at the time of sampling. The SARS-CoV-2 concentrations in dust recovered from floor and HVAC filter samples ranged from 104-105 N2 gene copies/g dust. While detection of viral RNA does not imply infectivity, this study confirms that the SARS-CoV-2 RNA signal can be detected at several locations within a COVID-19 quarantine home and can persist after symptoms have resolved. In addition, the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 (normalized per unit mass of dust) recovered in home HVAC filters may prove useful for estimating SARS-CoV-2 airborne levels in homes.

SARS-CoV-2 detection and genomic sequencing from hospital surface samples collected at UC Davis

“…A key complication in studies of SARS-CoV-2 environmental viability relates to how long the viral RNA can be detected on surfaces. A large number of studies have used qRT-PCR to detect SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA indoors [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] reviewed in [21] and found that the virus was detectable up to several weeks after it was presumably deposited [22]. The amount of viral RNA detected seems to be inversely correlated with cleaning protocols [23].…”

Pulsed Broad-Spectrum UV Light Effectively Inactivates SARS-CoV-2 on Multiple Surfaces and N95 Material

“…Outside of the healthcare setting, rooms of cruise ship passengers who had COVID-19 were also contaminated with viral RNA [ 11 ]. Viral RNA has also been found on various surfaces in households with SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals [ 12 , 13 ].…”

SARS-CoV-2 detection and genomic sequencing from hospital surface samples collected at UC Davis

“…A key complication in studies of SARS-CoV-2 environmental viability relates to how long the viral RNA can be detected on surfaces. A large number of studies have used qRT-PCR to detect SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA indoors (8–20) reviewed in (21) and found that the virus was detectable up to several weeks after it was presumably deposited (22). The amount of viral RNA detected seems to be inversely correlated with cleaning protocols (23).…”

“…In this study, we assessed environmental contamination with SARS-CoV-2 in a hospital setting by both qRT-PCR and a viral culture assay. We examined surfaces, and also sampled HVAC filters since these have been previously shown to contain SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare settings (30, 31) and in homes (22). In addition, we sequenced partial and complete genomes from surfaces and compared them phylogenetically to identify the source of the virus.…”