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

Perrine Marcenac, Geun Woo Park, Lindsey M. Duca, Nathaniel M. Lewis, Elizabeth A. Dietrich, Leslie Barclay, Azaibi Tamin, Jennifer L. Harcourt, Natalie J. Thornburg, Jared Rispens, Almea Matanock, Tair Kiphibane, Kimberly Christensen, Lucia C. Pawloski, Alicia M. Fry, Aron J. Hall, Jacqueline E. Tate, Jan Vinjé, Hannah L. Kirking and Eric Pevzner
Additional contact information
Perrine Marcenac: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
Geun Woo Park: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
Lindsey M. Duca: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
Nathaniel M. Lewis: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
Elizabeth A. Dietrich: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
Leslie Barclay: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
Azaibi Tamin: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
Jennifer L. Harcourt: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
Natalie J. Thornburg: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
Jared Rispens: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
Almea Matanock: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
Tair Kiphibane: Salt Lake County Health Department, 610 South 200 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, USA
Kimberly Christensen: Utah Department of Health, 288 North 1460 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, USA
Lucia C. Pawloski: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
Alicia M. Fry: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
Aron J. Hall: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
Jacqueline E. Tate: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
Jan Vinjé: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
Hannah L. Kirking: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
Eric Pevzner: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 15, 1-10

Abstract: SARS-CoV-2 transmission from contaminated surfaces, or fomites, has been a concern during the COVID-19 pandemic. Households have been important sites of transmission throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, but there is limited information on SARS-CoV-2 contamination of surfaces in these settings. We describe environmental detection of SARS-CoV-2 in households of persons with COVID-19 to better characterize the potential risks of fomite transmission. Ten households with ?1 person with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and with ?2 members total were enrolled in Utah, U.S.A. Nasopharyngeal and anterior nasal swabs were collected from members and tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR. Fifteen surfaces were sampled in each household and tested for presence and viability of SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 23 (15%) of 150 environmental swab samples, most frequently on nightstands (4/6; 67%), pillows (4/23; 17%), and light switches (3/21; 14%). Viable SARS-CoV-2 was cultured from one sample. All households with SARS-CoV-2-positive surfaces had ?1 person who first tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 ? 6 days prior to environmental sampling. SARS-CoV-2 surface contamination occurred early in the course of infection when respiratory transmission is most likely, notably on surfaces in close, prolonged contact with persons with COVID-19. While fomite transmission might be possible, risk is low.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; fomite transmission; household transmission; prevention (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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