Investigation of SARS CoV-2 virus in environmental surface

Dargahi, Abdollah; Jeddi, Farhad; Vosoughi, Mehdi; Karami, Chiman; Hadisi, Aidin; Alighadri, S.Ahamad Mokhtarie, Morteza; Haghighi, Somayeh Biparva; Sadeghi, Hadi

The prevalent respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 probably persist for a long time on fomites and environmental surfaces. Some recent studies have detected SARS-CoV-2 RNA on the surface of cell phones, door handles and other items in the inhabited sites of confirmed cases. For the aim of this study, a total of 50 environmental surface samples of SARS-CoV-2 was collected from Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ardabil. Forty-one environmental surface samples were proved negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA while nine surface samples were positive. Our findings regarding surfaces contaminated with the virus are consistent with the results of recent similar researches as it was revealed that a number of different samples taken from hospital surfaces such as handles, cupboards, light switches, and door handles were positive for the presence of SARS-Cov-2.