Abstract
Spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a demanding challenge. This is of particular importance in schools and public areas of unavoidable access. New viral mutations may increase infectivity and require even better methods to identify areas of potential hazards. High-throughput SARS-CoV-2 testing and legal restrictions are not effective in order to get the current outbreak under control. The occurrence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants with a higher transmissibility requires efficient strategies for early detection and surveillance. Until today, testing focuses on nasal or pharyngeal mucosa swabs, neglecting the origin of aerosolic transmission, thus failing to detect the spread by carriers of the virus. Therefore, in this study, SARS-CoV-2 RNA levels were determined by quantitative real time PCR in aerosols collected by non-powered cold traps. SARS-CoV-2 spreading kinetics were recorded in indoor hotspots within a high-endemic area. These hotspots included a SARS-CoV-2 isolation unit, an outpatient endoscopy facility, a concert hall, and a shopping mall. For determination of viral presence aerosols were collected by cold traps positioned at different locations in the area of interest over a period of 4–6 h. Indoor SARS-CoV-2 hotspots were found in non-ventilated areas and in zones that are predisposed to a buoyancy (chimney) effect. SARS-CoV-2 RNA in those aerosols reached concentrations of 105 copies/mL, while extensive outdoor air ventilation reliably eliminated SARS-CoV-2 aerosol contamination. The method presented herein is effective for the identification of SARS-CoV-2 indoor hotspots and may help to characterize the spreading kinetics of SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, it can be used for the surveillance of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. Due to low costs and easy handling, the procedure might enable efficient algorithms for COVID-19 screening and prevention.
Highlights
COVID-19 has spread around the world for more than 20 months
2 weeks after the Chinese state media reported the first known death from an illness in Wuhan, China, a new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 had been identified being responsible for the COVID-19 outbreak (Zhu et al, 2020)
Quantitative RT-PCR of the aerosol collected in the isolation room was negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA
Summary
COVID-19 has spread around the world for more than 20 months. Since the Spanish flu 100 years1 3 Vol.:(0123456789)778 Page 2 of 8 ago, no pandemic has led to a comparable medical and economic disaster. 2 weeks after the Chinese state media reported the first known death from an illness in Wuhan, China, a new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 had been identified being responsible for the COVID-19 outbreak (Zhu et al, 2020). Despite immediate identification and characterization of the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (Corman et al, 2020; Zhu et al, 2020), none of the current concepts and diagnostic algorithms were able to bring the current pandemic under control. In COVID-19 cases with clinical manifestations, SARS-CoV-2 can be already transmitted 2 days before first symptoms occur (He et al, 2020). These circumstances clearly demonstrate why early and reliable diagnosis of COVID-19 remains a major challenge
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