Environmental contamination in the isolation rooms of COVID-19 patients with severe pneumonia requiring mechanical ventilation or high-flow oxygen therapy.

Identifying the extent of environmental contamination of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is essential for infection control and prevention. The extent of environmental contamination has not been fully investigated in the context of severe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients. To investigate environmental SARS-CoV-2 contamination in the isolation rooms of severe COVID-19 patients requiring mechanical ventilation or high-flow oxygen therapy. Environmental swab samples and air samples were collected from the isolation rooms of three COVID-19 patients with severe pneumonia. Patients 1 and 2 received mechanical ventilation with a closed suction system, while patient 3 received high-flow oxygen therapy and non-invasive ventilation. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) was used to detect SARS-CoV-2; viral cultures were performed for samples not negative on rRT-PCR. Of the 48 swab samples collected in the rooms of patients 1 and 2, only samples from the outside surfaces of the endotracheal tubes tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by rRT-PCR. However, in patient 3's room, 13 of the 28 environmental samples (fomites, fixed structures, and ventilation exit on the ceiling) showed positive results. Air samples were negative for SARS-CoV-2. Viable viruses were identified on the surface of the endotracheal tube of patient 1 and seven sites in patient 3's room. Environmental contamination of SARS-CoV-2 may be a route of viral transmission. However, it might be minimized when patients receive mechanical ventilation with a closed suction system. These findings can provide evidence for guidelines for the safe use of personal protective equipment.

Ahn JY ，An S ，Sohn Y ，Cho Y ，Hyun JH ，Baek YJ ，Kim MH ，Jeong SJ ，Kim JH ，Ku NS ，Yeom JS ，Smith DM ，Lee H ，Yong D ，Lee YJ ，Kim JW ，Kim HR ，Hwang J ，Choi JY ... -  《-》

Air and Environmental Contamination Caused by COVID-19 Patients: a Multi-Center Study.

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of air and surface contamination of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in four health care facilities with hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. We investigated air and environmental contamination in the rooms of eight COVID-19 patients in four hospitals. Some patients were in negative-pressure rooms, and others were not. None had undergone aerosol-generating procedures. On days 0, 3, 5, and 7 of hospitalization, the surfaces in the rooms and anterooms were swabbed, and air samples were collected 2 m from the patient and from the anterooms. All 52 air samples were negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Widespread surface contamination of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was observed. In total, 89 of 320 (27%) environmental surface samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Surface contamination of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was common in rooms without surface disinfection and in rooms sprayed with disinfectant twice a day. However, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was not detected in a room cleaned with disinfectant wipes on a regular basis. Our data suggest that remote (> 2 m) airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from hospitalized COVID-19 patients is uncommon when aerosol-generating procedures have not been performed. Surface contamination was widespread, except in a room routinely cleaned with disinfectant wipes.

Kim UJ ，Lee SY ，Lee JY ，Lee A ，Kim SE ，Choi OJ ，Lee JS ，Kee SJ ，Jang HC ... -  《-》

Surfaces and Air Contamination by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Using High-Flow Nasal Oxygenation or Assisted Mechanical Ventilation in Intensive Care Unit Rooms of Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Understanding patterns of environmental contamination by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is essential for infection prevention policies. We screened surfaces and air samples from single-bed intensive-care unit rooms of adult patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) for SARS-CoV-2 RNA and viable viruses. We evidenced viral RNA environmental contamination in 76% of 100 surfaces samples and in 30% of 40 air samples without any viable virus detection by cell culture assays. No significant differences of viral RNA levels on surfaces and in ambient air were observed between rooms of patients with assisted mechanical ventilation and those of patients with a high-flow nasal cannula system. Using an original experimental SARS-CoV-2 infection model of surfaces, we determined that infectious viruses may have been present on benches within 15 hours before the time of sampling in patient rooms. We observed that SARS-CoV-2 environmental contamination around patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in single-bed ICU rooms was extensive and that a high-flow nasal cannula system did not generate more viral aerosolization than a mechanical ventilation system in patients with COVID-19. Despite an absence of SARS-CoV-2 viable particles in study samples, our experimental model confirmed the need to apply strict environmental disinfection procedures and classic standard and droplet precautions in ICU wards.

Lebreil AL ，Greux V ，Glenet M ，Huguenin A ，N'Guyen Y ，Berri F ，Bajolet O ，Mourvillier B ，Andreoletti L ... -  《-》

Contamination of SARS-CoV-2 in patient surroundings and on personal protective equipment in a non-ICU isolation ward for COVID-19 patients with prolonged PCR positive status.

Wei L ，Huang W ，Lu X ，Wang Y ，Cheng L ，Deng R ，Long H ，Zong Z ... -  《Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control》

Air and environmental sampling for SARS-CoV-2 around hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Cheng VC ，Wong SC ，Chan VW ，So SY ，Chen JH ，Yip CC ，Chan KH ，Chu H ，Chung TW ，Sridhar S ，To KK ，Chan JF ，Hung IF ，Ho PL ，Yuen KY ... -  《-》