SARS-CoV-2 surface contamination in metro-Atlanta grocery stores.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has had a detrimental impact on many businesses worldwide, essential businesses, such as grocery stores, continued to operate despite potential disease transmission. Although the principal mode by which people are infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is through exposure to respiratory droplets and very small particles carrying infectious virus, contaminated surfaces might play a role in transmission. We collected swab samples from frequently touched surfaces, including grocery carts, touchscreen monitors, credit card keypads, pharmacy counters, self-service food utensils, and refrigerator and freezer handles, in two metro-Atlanta grocery stores over the course of two sampling events in March 2021. Of the 260 swab samples collected, 6 (2.3%) samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA by reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Positive samples were collected from pharmacy (12.0% [3/25] samples), refrigerator/freezer aisles (2.5% [1/39] samples), and self-service food court (5.0% [2/40] samples) areas. Table/counter edge and underside surfaces represented 33% (2/6) of positive samples. These data suggest that risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 from frequently touched surfaces in grocery store settings is likely low; however, more frequent cleaning of surfaces in pharmacy and self-service food courts might be warranted.

Brown TW ，Park GW ，Wittry B ，Barclay L ，Person M ，Relja B ，Daly S ，Chhabra P ，Kincaid E ，Johnson J ，Ahmad A ，Herzegh O ，Vinjé J ，Murphy J ... -  《PLoS One》

SARS-CoV-2 RNA and Supermarket Surfaces: A Real or Presumed Threat?

Caggiano G ，Triggiano F ，Apollonio F ，Diella G ，Lopuzzo M ，D'Ambrosio M ，Fasano F ，Stefanizzi P ，Sorrenti GT ，Magarelli P ，Sorrenti DP ，Marcotrigiano V ，De Giglio O ，Montagna MT ... -  《-》

Monitoring COVID-19 Transmission Risks by Quantitative Real-Time PCR Tracing of Droplets in Hospital and Living Environments.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) environmental contamination occurs through droplets and biological fluids released in the surroundings from patients or asymptomatic carriers. Surfaces and objects contaminated by saliva or nose secretions represent a risk for indirect transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We assayed surfaces from hospital and living spaces to identify the presence of viral RNA and the spread of fomites in the environment. Anthropic contamination by droplets and biological fluids was monitored by detecting the microbiota signature using multiplex quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) on selected species and massive sequencing on 16S amplicons. A total of 92 samples (flocked swabs) were collected from critical areas during the pandemic, including indoor (three hospitals and three public buildings) and outdoor surfaces exposed to anthropic contamination (handles and handrails, playgrounds). Traces of biological fluids were frequently detected in spaces open to the public and on objects that are touched with the hands (>80%). However, viral RNA was not detected in hospital wards or other indoor and outdoor surfaces either in the air system of a COVID hospital but only in the surroundings of an infected patient, in consistent association with droplet traces and fomites. Handled objects accumulated the highest level of multiple contaminations by saliva, nose secretions, and fecal traces, further supporting the priority role of handwashing in prevention. In conclusion, anthropic contamination by droplets and biological fluids is widespread in spaces open to the public and can be traced by qPCR. Monitoring fomites can support evaluation of indirect transmission risks for coronavirus or other flu-like viruses in the environment.IMPORTANCE Several studies have evaluated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the environment. Saliva and nasopharyngeal droplets can land on objects and surfaces, creating fomites. A suitable indicator would allow the detection of droplets or biofluids carrying the virus. Therefore, we searched for viral RNA and droplets and fomites on at risk surfaces. We monitored by qPCR or next generation sequencing (NGS) droplets through their microbiota. Although the study was performed during the pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 was not significantly found on surfaces, with the only exception of environmental areas near infectious patients. Conversely, anthropic contamination was frequent, suggesting a role for biofluids as putative markers of indirect transmission and risk assessment. Moreover, all SARS-CoV-2-contaminated surfaces showed droplets' microbiota. Fomite monitoring by qPCR may have an impact on public health strategies, supporting prevention of indirect transmission similarly to what is done for other communicable diseases (e.g., influenza and influenza-like infections).

Piana A ，Colucci ME ，Valeriani F ，Marcolongo A ，Sotgiu G ，Pasquarella C ，Margarucci LM ，Petrucca A ，Gianfranceschi G ，Babudieri S ，Vitali P ，D'Ermo G ，Bizzarro A ，De Maio F ，Vitali M ，Azara A ，Romano F ，Simmaco M ，Romano Spica V ... -  《mSphere》

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 on the environmental surfaces and its implications for pandemic preparedness.

Jamil K ，Abdulrazack N ，Fakhraldeen S ，Kamal H ，Al-Mutairi A ，Al-Feili B ，Ahmed I ，Kumar V ... -  《Frontiers in Public Health》

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 on Surfaces in Households of Persons with COVID-19.

Marcenac P ，Park GW ，Duca LM ，Lewis NM ，Dietrich EA ，Barclay L ，Tamin A ，Harcourt JL ，Thornburg NJ ，Rispens J ，Matanock A ，Kiphibane T ，Christensen K ，Pawloski LC ，Fry AM ，Hall AJ ，Tate JE ，Vinjé J ，Kirking HL ，Pevzner E ... -  《-》