Assessment of environmental surface contamination with SARS-CoV-2 in concert halls and banquet rooms in Japan. Issue 6 (June 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Matsui, Hidehito; Ueda, Chihiro; Nakajima, Eri; Suzuki, Yumiko; Endo, Harumi; Sugamata, Miho; Takarabe, Yukiko; Yamaguchi, Yukie; Honsho, Masako; Hokari, Rei; Ishiyama, Aki; Imoto, Yasuo; Hanaki, Hideaki
• Is Part Of: Journal of infection and chemotherapy. Volume 29:Issue 6(2023)
• Page Start: 604
• Page End: 609
• Publication Date: 2023-06
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- SARS-CoV-2 -- Environmental contamination -- Carbon dioxide; SARS-CoV-2 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 -- COVID-19 coronavirus disease 2019 -- RT-qPCR quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction; Chemotherapy -- Periodicals; Infection -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases -- Chemotherapy -- Periodicals; 615.5805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jiac.2023.02.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1341-321X

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Although crowds are considered to be a risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 transmission, little is known about the changes in environmental surface contamination with the virus when a large number of people attend an event. In this study, we evaluated the changes in environmental surface contamination with SARS-CoV-2. Methods: Environmental samples were collected from concert halls and banquet rooms before and after events in February to April 2022 when the 7-day moving average of new COVID-19 cases in Tokyo was reported to be 5000–18000 cases per day. In total, 632 samples were examined for SARS-CoV-2 by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) tests, and RT-qPCR-positive samples were subjected to a plaque assay. Results: The SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection rate before and after the events ranged from 0% to 2.6% versus 0%–5.0% in environmental surface samples, respectively. However, no viable viruses were isolated from all RT-qPCR-positive samples by the plaque assay. There was no significant increase in the environmental surface contamination with SARS-CoV-2 after these events. Conclusions: These findings revealed that indirect contact transmission from environmental fomite does not seem to be of great magnitude in a community setting.