Bioaerosol Sampling for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in a Referral Center with Critically Ill Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Patients March–May 2020. (28th January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lane, Morgan A; Brownsword, Erik A; Babiker, Ahmed; Ingersoll, Jessica M; Waggoner, Jesse; Ayers, Marie; Klopman, Matthew; Uyeki, Timothy M; Lindsley, William G; Kraft, Colleen S
• Is Part Of: Clinical infectious diseases. Volume 73:Number 7(2021)
• Page Start: e1790
• Page End: e1794
• Publication Date: 2021-01-28
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- airborne transmission -- aerosols -- hospital; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; 616.905
• DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa1880
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1058-4838

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Previous research has shown that rooms of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) present the potential for healthcare-associated transmission through aerosols containing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, data on the presence of these aerosols outside of patient rooms are limited. We investigated whether virus-containing aerosols were present in nursing stations and patient room hallways in a referral center with critically ill COVID-19 patients. Methods: Eight National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health BC 251 2-stage cyclone samplers were set up throughout 6 units, including nursing stations and visitor corridors in intensive care units and general medical units, for 6 h each sampling period. Samplers were placed on tripods which held 2 samplers positioned 102 cm and 152 cm above the floor. Units were sampled for 3 days. Extracted samples underwent reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for selected gene regions of the SARS-CoV-2 virus nucleocapsid and the housekeeping gene human RNase P as an internal control. Results: The units sampled varied in the number of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients present on the days of sampling. Some of the units included patient rooms under negative pressure, while most were maintained at a neutral pressure. Of 528 aerosol samples collected, none were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA by the estimated limit of detection of 8 viral copies/m 3 of air. Conclusions: Aerosolized SARS-CoV-2 outside of patient rooms was undetectable. While healthcare personnel should avoid unmasked close contact with each other, these findings may provide reassurance for the use of alternatives to tight-fitting respirators in areas outside of patient rooms during the current pandemic. Abstract : 528 aerosol samples collected from hospital nursing stations, patient room hallways, and visitor corridors in general medical units and intensive care units were negative by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 genetic material. These results have implications for use of personal protective equipment in nonpatient care areas of healthcare facilities