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Detection of SARS-CoV-2 on Surfaces in Households of Persons with COVID-19

Author

Listed:
  • Perrine Marcenac

    (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
    Epidemic Intelligence Service, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA)

  • Geun Woo Park

    (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA)

  • Lindsey M. Duca

    (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
    Epidemic Intelligence Service, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA)

  • Nathaniel M. Lewis

    (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
    Epidemic Intelligence Service, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
    Utah Department of Health, 288 North 1460 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, USA)

  • Elizabeth A. Dietrich

    (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA)

  • Leslie Barclay

    (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA)

  • Azaibi Tamin

    (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA)

  • Jennifer L. Harcourt

    (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA)

  • Natalie J. Thornburg

    (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA)

  • Jared Rispens

    (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
    Epidemic Intelligence Service, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA)

  • Almea Matanock

    (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA)

  • Tair Kiphibane

    (Salt Lake County Health Department, 610 South 200 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, USA)

  • Kimberly Christensen

    (Utah Department of Health, 288 North 1460 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, USA)

  • Lucia C. Pawloski

    (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA)

  • Alicia M. Fry

    (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA)

  • Aron J. Hall

    (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA)

  • Jacqueline E. Tate

    (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA)

  • Jan Vinjé

    (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA)

  • Hannah L. Kirking

    (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA)

  • Eric Pevzner

    (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA)

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 transmission from contaminated surfaces, or fomites, has been a concern during the COVID-19 pandemic. Households have been important sites of transmission throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, but there is limited information on SARS-CoV-2 contamination of surfaces in these settings. We describe environmental detection of SARS-CoV-2 in households of persons with COVID-19 to better characterize the potential risks of fomite transmission. Ten households with ≥1 person with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and with ≥2 members total were enrolled in Utah, U.S.A. Nasopharyngeal and anterior nasal swabs were collected from members and tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR. Fifteen surfaces were sampled in each household and tested for presence and viability of SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 23 (15%) of 150 environmental swab samples, most frequently on nightstands (4/6; 67%), pillows (4/23; 17%), and light switches (3/21; 14%). Viable SARS-CoV-2 was cultured from one sample. All households with SARS-CoV-2-positive surfaces had ≥1 person who first tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 ≤ 6 days prior to environmental sampling. SARS-CoV-2 surface contamination occurred early in the course of infection when respiratory transmission is most likely, notably on surfaces in close, prolonged contact with persons with COVID-19. While fomite transmission might be possible, risk is low.

Suggested Citation

  • Perrine Marcenac & Geun Woo Park & Lindsey M. Duca & Nathaniel M. Lewis & Elizabeth A. Dietrich & Leslie Barclay & Azaibi Tamin & Jennifer L. Harcourt & Natalie J. Thornburg & Jared Rispens & Almea Ma, 2021. "Detection of SARS-CoV-2 on Surfaces in Households of Persons with COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-10, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:15:p:8184-:d:607123
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Vania Aparecida Vicente & Bruno Paulo Rodrigues Lustosa & Maria Eduarda Grisolia & Caroline Pavini Beato & Eduardo Balsanelli & Viviane de Souza Gubert Fruet & Meri Bordignon Nogueira & Sonia Maria Ra, 2021. "Environmental Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Virus RNA in Health Facilities in Brazil and a Systematic Review on Contamination Sources," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-12, April.
    2. Maria Teresa Montagna & Osvalda De Giglio & Carla Calia & Chrysovalentinos Pousis & Francesca Apollonio & Carmen Campanale & Giusy Diella & Marco Lopuzzo & Angelo Marzella & Francesco Triggiano & Vinc, 2021. "First Detection of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 on the Surfaces of Tourist-Recreational Facilities in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-6, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Davide Cardinale & Maria Tafuro & Andrea Mancusi & Santa Girardi & Federico Capuano & Yolande Thérèse Rose Proroga & Federica Corrado & Jacopo Luigi D’Auria & Annachiara Coppola & Giuseppe Rofrano & P, 2022. "Sponge Whirl-Pak Sampling Method and Droplet Digital RT-PCR Assay for Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 on Surfaces in Public and Working Environments," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-14, May.
    2. Man-Wai Leung & Margaret O’Donoghue & Lorna Kwai-Ping Suen, 2022. "Personal and Household Hygiene Measures for Preventing Upper Respiratory Tract Infections among Children: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Parental Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-17, December.

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