Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

October 12, 2020

Air and Surface Contamination in Non-Health Care Settings among 641 Environmental Specimens of 39 COVID-19 Cases

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  • A study of SARS-CoV-2 contamination of environmental surfaces and air found that SARS-CoV-2 may be present on environmental surfaces for several days, especially in bathrooms. 641 specimens were collected from homes, hotels, public areas, cars, and pets that were potentially in contact with 39 individuals positive for SARS-CoV-2 in China. All positive specimens, based on RT-PCR testing, were collected within 3 days of diagnosis. Air specimens collected in rooms and cars were all negative, while 20 environmental specimens were found to be positive throughout the home, 10 of which were from the bathroom.

Luo et al. (Oct 9, 2020). Air and Surface Contamination in Non-Health Care Settings among 641 Environmental Specimens of 39 COVID-19 Cases. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0008570