Evidence of Air and Surface Contamination with SARS-CoV-2 in a Major Hospital in Portugal

Priscilla Gomes da Silva, José Gonçalves, Ariana Isabel Brito Lopes, Nury Alves Esteves, Gustavo Emanuel Enes Bamba, Maria São José Nascimento, Pedro T. B. S. Branco, Ruben R. G. Soares, Sofia I. V. Sousa and João R. Mesquita
Additional contact information
Priscilla Gomes da Silva: ICBAS–School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Porto University, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
José Gonçalves: Institute of Sustainable Processes, University of Valladolid, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
Ariana Isabel Brito Lopes: Unidade Local de Saúde do Alto Minho E.P.E., 4904-858 Viana do Castelo, Portugal
Nury Alves Esteves: Unidade Local de Saúde do Alto Minho E.P.E., 4904-858 Viana do Castelo, Portugal
Gustavo Emanuel Enes Bamba: Unidade Local de Saúde do Alto Minho E.P.E., 4904-858 Viana do Castelo, Portugal
Maria São José Nascimento: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
Pedro T. B. S. Branco: LEPABE–Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Ruben R. G. Soares: Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
Sofia I. V. Sousa: LEPABE–Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
João R. Mesquita: ICBAS–School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Porto University, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: As the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic hit Portugal, it forced the country to reintroduce lockdown measures due to hospitals reaching their full capacities. Under these circumstances, environmental contamination by SARS-CoV-2 in different areas of one of Portugal’s major Hospitals was assessed between 21 January and 11 February 2021. Air samples ( n = 44) were collected from eleven different areas of the Hospital (four COVID-19 and seven non-COVID-19 areas) using Coriolis ® μ and Coriolis ® Compact cyclone air sampling devices. Surface sampling was also performed ( n = 17) on four areas (one COVID-19 and three non-COVID-19 areas). RNA extraction followed by a one-step RT-qPCR adapted for quantitative purposes were performed. Of the 44 air samples, two were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA (6575 copies/m 3 and 6662.5 copies/m 3 , respectively). Of the 17 surface samples, three were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA (200.6 copies/cm 2 , 179.2 copies/cm 2 , and 201.7 copies/cm 2 , respectively). SARS-CoV-2 environmental contamination was found both in air and on surfaces in both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 areas. Moreover, our results suggest that longer collection sessions are needed to detect point contaminations. This reinforces the need to remain cautious at all times, not only when in close contact with infected individuals. Hand hygiene and other standard transmission-prevention guidelines should be continuously followed to avoid nosocomial COVID-19.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; environmental contamination; air samples; surface samples (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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