Detection of Air and Surface Contamination by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Hospital Rooms of Infected Patients

  1. Po Ying Chia
  2. Kristen Kelli Coleman
  3. Yian Kim Tan
  4. Sean Wei Xiang Ong
  5. Marcus Gum
  6. Sok Kiang Lau
  7. Stephanie Sutjipto
  8. Pei Hua Lee
  9. Than The Son
  10. Barnaby Edward Young
  11. Donald K. Milton
  12. Gregory C. Gray
  13. Stephan Schuster
  14. Timothy Barkham
  15. Partha Prathim De
  16. Shawn Vasoo
  17. Monica Chan
  18. Brenda Sze Peng Ang
  19. Boon Huan Tan
  20. Yee-Sin Leo
  21. Oon-Tek Ng
  22. Michelle Su Yen Wong
  23. Kalisvar Marimuthu
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Abstract

Understanding the particle size distribution in the air and patterns of environmental contamination of SARS-CoV-2 is essential for infection prevention policies. We aimed to detect SARS-CoV-2 surface and air contamination and study associated patient-level factors. 245 surface samples were collected from 30 airborne infection isolation rooms of COVID-19 patients, and air sampling was conducted in 3 rooms.

Air sampling detected SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive particles of sizes >4 µm and 1-4 µm in two rooms, which warrants further study of the airborne transmission potential of SARS-CoV-2. 56.7% of rooms had at least one environmental surface contaminated. High touch surface contamination was shown in ten (66.7%) out of 15 patients in the first week of illness, and three (20%) beyond the first week of illness (p = 0.010).

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