Environmental detection of SARS-CoV-2 in hospital rooms in different wards of a university hospital

Abstract

BackgroundTransmission of SARS-CoV-2 can occur through direct, indirect, or close contact with infected people. However, the extent of environmental contamination is unknown. The nature of the relation between patients’ symptoms and SARS-CoV-2 environmental shedding remains unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between patient covid-19 status and environmental contamination.MethodsBetween May to November 2020, environmental swabs were taken before and after room disinfection at day 7 after symptom onset in a cohort of patients clinically or biologically diagnosed positive for Covid-19. Twelve surfaces per room were collected in 13 rooms. Sample analysis was performed by RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 detection (SARS-CoV-2 R-Gene® (Biomérieux)). Clinical data (day of illness, symptoms, RT-PCR results) was collected from the clinical software.ResultsFive medical units were included in the study. Of 156 samples collected in 13 rooms, 5 rooms (38.5%) presented 11 SARS-CoV-2 positive samples. These positive samples were detected on 8 different surfaces. There was no association between detection of SARS-CoV-2 and patient’s age (p= 1) or patient’s symptoms (p= 0.3).ConclusionViral shedding during Covid-19 appears unrelated to the presence of symptoms, patient’s age, and low value cycle threshold of patient’s test. This study supports the evidence for the environmental shedding of SARS-CoV-2 until at least 7 days after patient’s symptoms onset. It emphasizes the need for strict compliance with contact precaution, hand hygiene, the correct use of personal protective equipment and a room disinfection for the routine care of Covid-19 patients.