Detection and infectivity potential of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) environmental contamination in isolation units and quarantine facilities

Ben-Shmuel, Amir; Brosh-Nissimov, Tal; Glinert, Itai; Bar-David, Elad; Sittner, Assa; Poni, Reut; Cohen, Regev; Achdout, Hagit; Tamir, Hadas; Yahalom-Ronen, Yfat; Politi, Boaz; Melamed, Sharon; Vitner, Einat; Cherry, Lilach; Israeli, Ofir; Beth-Din, Adi; Paran, Nir; Israely, Tomer; Yitzhaki, Shmuel; Haim levy; Weiss, Shay

OBJECTIVES: Environmental surfaces have been suggested as likely contributors to the transmission of COVID-19. This study assessed the infectivity of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) contamination on surfaces and objects in hospital isolation units and a quarantine hotel. METHODS: SARS-CoV-2 virus stability and infectivity on non-porous surfaces was tested under controlled laboratory conditions. Surfaces and air sampling was conducted at two COVID-19 isolation units and in a quarantine hotel. Viral RNA detected by RT-PCR and infectivity was assessed by VERO E6 CPE test. RESULTS: In laboratory-controlled conditions, SARS-CoV-2 gradually lost its infectivity completely at day 4 at ambient temperature and the decay rate of viral viability on surfaces directly correlated with increase in temperature. Viral RNA detected in 29/55 (52.7%) and 16/42 (38%) surface samples from the surrounding of symptomatic COVID-19 patients in isolation units of two hospitals and in a quarantine hotel for asymptomatic and very mild COVID-19 patients. None of the surface and air samples from all three sites (0/97) were found to contain infectious titers SARS-Cov-2 in tissue culture assay. CONCLUSIONS: Despite prolonged viability of SARS-CoV-2 in laboratory-controlled conditions, uncultivable viral contamination on inanimate surfaces might suggest low feasibility for indirect fomite transmission.