Air and surface contamination by SARS-CoV-2 virus in a tertiary hospital in Wuhan, China

Tan, Li; Ma, Boyi; Lai, Xiaoquan; Han, Lefei; Cao, Peihua; Zhang, Junji; Fu, Jianguo; Zhou, Qian; Wei, Shiqing; Wang, Zhenling; Peng, Weijun; Yang, Lin; Zhang, Xinping

Abstract Background Few studies have explored the air and surface contamination by SARS-CoV-2 virus in healthcare settings. Methods We collected air and surface samples from the isolation wards and intensive care units designated for COVID-19 patients. The clinical data and tests result of nasopharyngeal specimens and serum antibodies were also collected from the sampling patients. Results A total of 367 air and surface swabbing samples were collected from the patient care areas of 15 mild and 9 severe/critical COVID-19 patients. Only one air sample taken during the intubation procedure tested positive. High-touch surfaces were slightly more likely contaminated by the RNA of the SARS-CoV-2 virus than low-touch surfaces. Contamination rates was slightly higher near severe/critical patients compared to those near mild patients, although not statistically significant (p <0.05). Surface contamination was still found near the patients with both positive IgG and IgM. Conclusions Air and surface contamination of the viral RNA was relatively low in healthcare settings after enhancement of infection prevention and control. Environmental contamination could still be found near seroconverted patients, suggesting the needs of maintaining constant vigilance in healthcare settings to reduce healthcare associated infection during the COVID-19 pandemic.