Abstract
Transfer of SARS-CoV-2 from solids to fingers is one step in infection via contaminated solids, and the possibility of infection from this route has driven calls for increased frequency of handwashing during the COVID-19 pandemic. To analyze this route of infection, we measured the percentage of SARS-CoV-2 that was transferred from a solid to an artificial finger. A droplet of SARS-CoV-2 suspension (1 µL) was placed on a solid, and then artificial skin was briefly pressed against the solid with a light force (3 N). Transfer from a variety of solids was detected, and transfer from the non-porous solids, glass, stainless steel, and Teflon, was substantial when the droplet was still wet. The viral titer for the finger was 13–16% or 0.8–0.9 log less than for the input droplet. Transfer still occurred after the droplet evaporated, but was smaller, 3–9%. We found a lower level of transfer from porous solids but did not find a significant effect of solid wettability for non-porous solids.
Highlights
Transfer of SARS-CoV-2 from solids to fingers is one step in infection via contaminated solids, and the possibility of infection from this route has driven calls for increased frequency of handwashing during the COVID-19 pandemic
We instead used VITRO-SKIN, an artificial skin, which has many characteristics that are similar to human skin
VITROSKIN has similar wettability[15], mechanical properties[16], textural features, and chemistry to human skin Others have found VITRO-SKIN to be a good model for human s kin[16,17]
Summary
Transfer of SARS-CoV-2 from solids to fingers is one step in infection via contaminated solids, and the possibility of infection from this route has driven calls for increased frequency of handwashing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies have shown that SARS-CoV-2 remains infective up to 7 days after a droplet is placed on some s olids[6,7], indicating the window of possible infection from solids may be large. This has led to widespread fear of touching communal objects and to health authorities suggesting that people increase the frequency and quality of their hand-washing[8]. We contaminated each solid with 1 μL of SARS-CoV-2 in suspension in buffer. 1 μL is the upper end of the size range of respiratory d roplets[18], much smaller droplets did not allow sufficient resolution of the viral titer
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