SARS-CoV-2 Aerosol and Surface Detections in COVID-19 Testing Centers and Implications for Transmission Risk in Public Facing Workers

Sarah J. Stein, Ashley R. Ravnholdt, Vicki L. Herrera, Danielle N. Rivera, Paul T. Williams and Joshua L. Santarpia ()
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Sarah J. Stein: Department of Pathology and Microiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68106, USA
Ashley R. Ravnholdt: Department of Pathology and Microiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68106, USA
Vicki L. Herrera: Department of Pathology and Microiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68106, USA
Danielle N. Rivera: Global Center for Health Security, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68106, USA
Paul T. Williams: Department of Pathology and Microiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68106, USA
Joshua L. Santarpia: Department of Pathology and Microiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68106, USA

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 2, 1-12

Abstract: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and resulting COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic have required mass diagnostic testing, often taking place in testing sites within hospitals, clinics, or at satellite locations. To establish the potential of SARS-CoV-2 aerosol transmission and to identify junctures during testing that result in increased viral exposure, aerosol and surface samples were examined for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from locations within Nebraska Medicine COVID-19 testing and vaccine clinics. Aerosols containing SARS-CoV-2 RNA detected within clinics suggest viral shedding from infected individuals. SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection in aerosol samples was shown to correlate with clinic operation and patient infection, as well as with community infection findings. Additionally, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in surface samples collected from clinics. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in aerosols in these clinics supports the continued use of respiratory protection and sanitization practices for healthcare workers, and other workers with public facing occupations.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; environmental contamination; infection risk (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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