Environmental Dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 in a University Hospital during the COVID-19 5th Wave Delta Variant Peak in Castile-León, Spain

Priscilla Gomes da Silva (), José Gonçalves, Andrés Torres Franco, Elisa Rodriguez, Israel Diaz, Antonio Orduña Domingo, Sonsoles Garcinuño Pérez, Gabriel Alberto March Roselló, Carlos Jesús Dueñas Gutiérrez, Maria São José Nascimento, Sofia I.V. Sousa, Pedro Garcia Encina 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, Valladolid University, Dr. Mergelina S/N., 47011 Valladolid, Spain
Andrés Torres Franco: Institute of Sustainable Processes, Valladolid University, Dr. Mergelina S/N., 47011 Valladolid, Spain
Elisa Rodriguez: Institute of Sustainable Processes, Valladolid University, Dr. Mergelina S/N., 47011 Valladolid, Spain
Israel Diaz: Institute of Sustainable Processes, Valladolid University, Dr. Mergelina S/N., 47011 Valladolid, Spain
Antonio Orduña Domingo: Microbiology Service, Valladolid University Clinical Hospital (HCUV), Faculty of Medicine, University of Valladolid, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
Sonsoles Garcinuño Pérez: Microbiology Service, Valladolid University Clinical Hospital (HCUV), 47011 Valladolid, Spain
Gabriel Alberto March Roselló: Microbiology Service, Valladolid University Clinical Hospital (HCUV), 47011 Valladolid, Spain
Carlos Jesús Dueñas Gutiérrez: Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases Section, Valladolid University Clinical Hospital (HCUV), 47011 Valladolid, Spain
Maria São José Nascimento: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 1800-412 Porto, Portugal
Sofia I.V. Sousa: LEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 1800-412 Porto, Portugal
Pedro Garcia Encina: Institute of Sustainable Processes, Valladolid University, Dr. Mergelina S/N., 47011 Valladolid, Spain
João R. Mesquita: ICBAS—School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Porto University, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 2, 1-11

Abstract: The dominant SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant (B.1.617.2) became the main circulating variant among countries by mid 2021. Attention was raised to the increased risk of airborne transmission, leading to nosocomial outbreaks even among vaccinated individuals. Considering the increased number of COVID-19 hospital admissions fueled by the spread of the variant, with Spain showing the highest COVID-19 rates in mainland Europe by July 2021, the aim of this study was to assess SARS-CoV-2 environmental contamination in different areas of a University Hospital in the region of Castile-León, Spain, during the peak of the 5th wave of COVID-19 in the country (July 2021). Air samples were collected from sixteen different areas of the Hospital using a Coriolis ® μ air sampler. Surface samples were collected in these same areas using sterile flocked plastic swabs. RNA extraction followed by a one-step RT-qPCR were performed for detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Of the 21 air samples, only one was positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, from the emergency waiting room. Of the 40 surface samples, 2 were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, both from the microbiology laboratory. These results may be relevant for risk assessment of nosocomial infection within healthcare facilities, thus helping prevent and minimize healthcare staff’s exposure to SARS-CoV-2, reinforcing the importance of always wearing appropriate and well-fit masks at all times and proper PPE when in contact with infected patients.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; airborne transmission; nosocomial transmission; COVID-19; air sampling; airborne SARS-CoV-2 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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