Presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in isolation ward environment 28 days after exposure

•SARS-CoV-2 RNA could be detected on the surfaces of pagers and in drawers in the isolation wards 28 days after exposure.•First report of the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in isolation ward environment 28 days after exposure.•The thorough disinfection of the ward environment included air and surface di...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of infectious diseases 2020-08, Vol.97, p.258-259
Main Authors: Zhou, Yunyun, Zeng, Yuyang, Chen, Changzheng
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Betacoronavirus - genetics
Betacoronavirus - isolation & purification
China
Coronavirus Infections - virology
COVID-19
Disinfection
Environmental contamination
Hospitals
Humans
Isolation Ward
Pandemics
Pneumonia, Viral - virology
RNA, Viral - genetics
RNA, Viral - isolation & purification
SARS-CoV-2
Time Factors
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Summary:•SARS-CoV-2 RNA could be detected on the surfaces of pagers and in drawers in the isolation wards 28 days after exposure.•First report of the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in isolation ward environment 28 days after exposure.•The thorough disinfection of the ward environment included air and surface disinfection.•After thorough disinfection, SARS-CoV-2 RNA tested negative in the isolation ward environment. Recent studies have reported that surfaces and objects in the rooms of infected patients that are frequently touched by both medical staff and patients could be contaminated with SARS-CoV-2. In December 2019, Wuhan China suffered the earliest from this COVID-19 pandemic, and we took that opportunity to investigate whether the SARS-CoV-2 RNA exists in the ward environment after a long time from exposure. We found that on the 28th day following the discharge of COVID-19 patients, SARS-CoV-2 RNA could still be detected on the surfaces of pagers and in drawers in the isolation wards. Thorough disinfection of the ward environment was subsequently performed, after which these surfaces in the isolation wards tested negative for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The findings remind us that the contaminated environment in the wards may become potential infectious resources and that despite a long time from exposure, the thorough disinfection in the COVID-10 units after is still necessary.
ISSN:1201-9712
1878-3511
DOI:10.1016/j.ijid.2020.06.015