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

Giuseppina Caggiano, Francesco Triggiano, Francesca Apollonio, Giusy Diella, Marco Lopuzzo, Marilena D’Ambrosio, Fabrizio Fasano, Pasquale Stefanizzi, Giovanni Trifone Sorrenti, Pantaleo Magarelli, Domenico Pio Sorrenti, Vincenzo Marcotrigiano, Osvalda De Giglio and Maria Teresa Montagna
Additional contact information
Giuseppina Caggiano: Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology—Hygiene Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
Francesco Triggiano: Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology—Hygiene Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
Francesca Apollonio: Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology—Hygiene Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
Giusy Diella: Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology—Hygiene Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
Marco Lopuzzo: Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology—Hygiene Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
Marilena D’Ambrosio: Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology—Hygiene Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
Fabrizio Fasano: Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology—Hygiene Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
Pasquale Stefanizzi: Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology—Hygiene Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
Giovanni Trifone Sorrenti: Department of Prevention, Food Hygiene and Nutrition Service, Local Health Unit BT, Corso M. R. Imbriani 138, 76125 Trani, Italy
Pantaleo Magarelli: Department of Prevention, Food Hygiene and Nutrition Service, Local Health Unit BT, Corso M. R. Imbriani 138, 76125 Trani, Italy
Domenico Pio Sorrenti: Department of Prevention, Food Hygiene and Nutrition Service, Local Health Unit BT, Corso M. R. Imbriani 138, 76125 Trani, Italy
Vincenzo Marcotrigiano: Department of Prevention, Food Hygiene and Nutrition Service, Local Health Unit BT, Corso M. R. Imbriani 138, 76125 Trani, Italy
Osvalda De Giglio: Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology—Hygiene Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
Maria Teresa Montagna: Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology—Hygiene Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 17, 1-9

Abstract: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in March 2020 in Italy, leading to the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that continues to cause high global morbidity and mortality in human populations. Numerous studies have focused on the spread and persistence of the virus in the hospital setting. New scientific evidence shows that SARS-CoV-2 is present in different community environments. Although aerosol is one of the main routes of transmission for SARS-CoV-2, indirect contact through virus-contaminated surfaces could also play a key role. The survival and persistence of SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces appear to be influenced by the characteristics of the material, temperature, and humidity. In this study, we investigated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on surfaces in 20 supermarkets throughout the Apulia region during the lockdown period. We collected a total of 300 swab samples from various surfaces including supermarket scales, trolley handles, refrigerator and freezer handles, and keyboards. In total, 13 (4.3%) surfaces were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA contamination, with shopping trolley handles being the most frequently contaminated. This study showed that contamination in public spaces can occur, so we remark the importance to adopt adequate preventive measures, including environment ventilation, careful surfaces sanitation, hand hygiene, and correct usage of masks, to reduce the likelihood of virus transmission.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; supermarket; handles; scales; keyboards; surfaces; COVID-19; shopping trolley handle; refrigeration system handle (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 (1)

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