Fomite-mediated transmission has been identified as a possible route for the spread of COVID-19 disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. In healthcare settings, environmental contamination by SARS-CoV-2 has been found in patients’ rooms and toilets. Here, we investigated environmental presence of SARS-CoV-2 in non-healthcare settings and assessed the efficacy of cleaning and disinfection in removing virus contamination. A total of 428 environmental swabs and six air samples was taken from accommodation rooms, toilets and elevators that have been used by COVID-19 cases. By using a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay, we detected two SARS-CoV-2 RNA positive samples in a room where a COVID-19 patient stayed prior to diagnosis. The present study highlights the risk of fomite-mediated transmission in non-healthcare settings and the importance of surface disinfection in spaces occupied by cases. Of note, neither air-borne transmission nor surface contamination of elevators, which were transiently exposed to infected individuals, was evident among samples analyzed.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Transmission, Environment, polymerase chain reaction, fomite, surface contamination, 【초록키워드】 Efficacy, Diagnosis, risk, virus, COVID-19 disease, polymerase chain reaction, Contamination, healthcare, Disinfection, fomite, reverse transcription, SARS-CoV-2 RNA, Swab, disease, COVID-19 cases, COVID-19 patient, Chain Reaction, infected individuals, cleaning, room, positive sample, toilets, highlight, spread of COVID-19, polymerase chain, analyzed, caused, investigated, 【제목키워드】 setting,