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Moore G, Rickard H, Stevenson D, Aranega-Bou P, Pitman J, Crook A, Davies K, Spencer A, Burton C, Easterbrook L, Love HE, Summers S, Welch SR, Wand N, Thompson KA, Pottage T, Richards KS, Dunning J, Bennett A. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 within the healthcare environment: a multi-centre study conducted during the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak in England. J Hosp Infect 2021; 108:189-196. [PMID: 33259882 PMCID: PMC7831847 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2020.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding how severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is spread within the hospital setting is essential in order to protect staff, implement effective infection control measures, and prevent nosocomial transmission. METHODS The presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the air and on environmental surfaces around hospitalized patients, with and without respiratory symptoms, was investigated. Environmental sampling was undertaken within eight hospitals in England during the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak. Samples were analysed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and virus isolation assays. FINDINGS SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected on 30 (8.9%) of 336 environmental surfaces. Cycle threshold values ranged from 28.8 to 39.1, equating to 2.2 x 105 to 59 genomic copies/swab. Concomitant bacterial counts were low, suggesting that the cleaning performed by nursing and domestic staff across all eight hospitals was effective. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in four of 55 air samples taken <1 m from four different patients. In all cases, the concentration of viral RNA was low and ranged from <10 to 460 genomic copies/m3 air. Infectious virus was not recovered from any of the PCR-positive samples analysed. CONCLUSIONS Effective cleaning can reduce the risk of fomite (contact) transmission, but some surface types may facilitate the survival, persistence and/or dispersal of SARS-CoV-2. The presence of low or undetectable concentrations of viral RNA in the air supports current guidance on the use of specific personal protective equipment for aerosol-generating and non-aerosol-generating procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Moore
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK.
| | - H Rickard
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - D Stevenson
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - P Aranega-Bou
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - J Pitman
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - A Crook
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - K Davies
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - A Spencer
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - C Burton
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - L Easterbrook
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - H E Love
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - S Summers
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - S R Welch
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - N Wand
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - K-A Thompson
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - T Pottage
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - K S Richards
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - J Dunning
- Emerging Infections and Zoonoses Unit, National Infection Service, Public Health England, Colindale, London, UK; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, Liverpool, UK
| | - A Bennett
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
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