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Environmental Contamination of SARS-CoV-2 in a Non-Healthcare Setting

Author

Listed:
  • Judith Chui Ching Wong

    (Environmental Health Institute, National Environmental Agency, 11, Biopolis Way, Helios Block, #06-05/08, Singapore 138667, Singapore)

  • Hapuarachchige Chanditha Hapuarachchi

    (Environmental Health Institute, National Environmental Agency, 11, Biopolis Way, Helios Block, #06-05/08, Singapore 138667, Singapore)

  • Sathish Arivalan

    (Environmental Health Institute, National Environmental Agency, 11, Biopolis Way, Helios Block, #06-05/08, Singapore 138667, Singapore)

  • Wei Ping Tien

    (Environmental Health Institute, National Environmental Agency, 11, Biopolis Way, Helios Block, #06-05/08, Singapore 138667, Singapore)

  • Carmen Koo

    (Environmental Health Institute, National Environmental Agency, 11, Biopolis Way, Helios Block, #06-05/08, Singapore 138667, Singapore)

  • Diyar Mailepessov

    (Environmental Health Institute, National Environmental Agency, 11, Biopolis Way, Helios Block, #06-05/08, Singapore 138667, Singapore)

  • Marcella Kong

    (Environmental Health Institute, National Environmental Agency, 11, Biopolis Way, Helios Block, #06-05/08, Singapore 138667, Singapore)

  • Mohammad Nazeem

    (Environmental Health Institute, National Environmental Agency, 11, Biopolis Way, Helios Block, #06-05/08, Singapore 138667, Singapore)

  • Merrill Lim

    (Environmental Health Institute, National Environmental Agency, 11, Biopolis Way, Helios Block, #06-05/08, Singapore 138667, Singapore)

  • Lee Ching Ng

    (Environmental Health Institute, National Environmental Agency, 11, Biopolis Way, Helios Block, #06-05/08, Singapore 138667, Singapore
    School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60, Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore)

Abstract

Fomite-mediated transmission has been identified as a possible route for the spread of COVID-19 disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. In healthcare settings, environmental contamination by SARS-CoV-2 has been found in patients’ rooms and toilets. Here, we investigated environmental presence of SARS-CoV-2 in non-healthcare settings and assessed the efficacy of cleaning and disinfection in removing virus contamination. A total of 428 environmental swabs and six air samples was taken from accommodation rooms, toilets and elevators that have been used by COVID-19 cases. By using a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay, we detected two SARS-CoV-2 RNA positive samples in a room where a COVID-19 patient stayed prior to diagnosis. The present study highlights the risk of fomite-mediated transmission in non-healthcare settings and the importance of surface disinfection in spaces occupied by cases. Of note, neither air-borne transmission nor surface contamination of elevators, which were transiently exposed to infected individuals, was evident among samples analyzed.

Suggested Citation

  • Judith Chui Ching Wong & Hapuarachchige Chanditha Hapuarachchi & Sathish Arivalan & Wei Ping Tien & Carmen Koo & Diyar Mailepessov & Marcella Kong & Mohammad Nazeem & Merrill Lim & Lee Ching Ng, 2020. "Environmental Contamination of SARS-CoV-2 in a Non-Healthcare Setting," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2020:i:1:p:117-:d:468730
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