SARS-CoV-2 Aerosol and Surface Contamination in Health Care Settings: The Moscow Pilot Study

Abstract

The ongoing worldwide COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has had serious impacts on not only the health care system but also all sectors of the economy. Thanks to the adoption of various epidemiological measures, a significant reduction in new cases of infection has been achieved. However, there are still "hotspots", such as healthcare settings focused on treating patients with COVID-19, which are characterized by the risk of nosocomial transmission among health care workers, patients, and visitors. The proper monitoring and timely detection of pathogens in a hospital environment will help prevent further spread of coronavirus infection. In this study, we collected samples from the air and surface swabs at the First Moscow Infectious Diseases Hospital to study the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 in various hospital locations. More than 130 aerosol and surface samples were collected and analysed by RT-PCR. We detected viral contamination of the air in the intensive care unit (ICU) but not in the respiratory infection department where less severe patients are treated. The concentration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was low, consisting of less than one copy per litre of air. The contact surfaces in both departments were contaminated with SARS-CoV-2. Considering the possible transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through fomites, these results indicate the need to strictly follow personal hygiene rules as well as wear personal protective equipment to prevent disease spread.

Analysis of surface contamination of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in a health-care setting in the context of the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic

“…where 65% of the surface samples taken from the ICU were found to be positive whereas only 32% of the surface samples were found positive in respiratory infection department. [ 13 ] This can be explained by various factors. First, the efficiency of the active ventilation system in the ICU can be insufficient.…”

Elucidating the role of environmental management of forests, air quality, solid waste and wastewater on the dissemination of SARS-CoV-2

“…In terms of worldwide research, Bangladesh and Central African Republic are the only least developed countries found to test indoor air for SARS-CoV-2 ( Harries et al, 2020 ; Akter et al, 2021 ; UNDESA, 2021). India, Iran, China, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Korea, Lebanon, Malaysia, Vietnam, Russia and Nigeria are the only developing countries found to test or speculate for indoor SARS-CoV-2 ( Kwon et al, 2020 ; Adeniran et al, 2021 ; Alkalamouni et al, 2021 ; Bazzazpour et al 2021 ; Chau et al, 2021 ; Dubey et al, 2021 ; Hu et al, 2021; Hu wang et al, 2021 ; Nor et al, 2021 ; Noureddine et al, 2021 ; Passos et al 2021 ; Pochtovyi et al, 2021 ; Salihefendic et al, 2021 ; World Bank, 2021 ).…”

The Value of Rapid Antigen Tests to Identify Carriers of Viable SARS-CoV-2

“…450 to 650 nt bases upstream the 5' end of SARS-CoV-2 viral genome). The protocol for qPCR-RT used in this study had been described previously [29]. Briefly the conditions of the one-step RT-qPCR reaction were as follows: 50°C for 15 min, 95°C for 5 min, followed by 45 cycles of 95°C for 10 s and 55°C for 1 min.…”