October 14, 2020

Rapid and Low-Cost Sampling for Detection of Airborne SARS-CoV-2 in Dehumidifier Condensate

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Public Health Policy and Practice

Keywords (Tags): candidate, infection control, report, summarize

• [Preprint, not peer-reviewed] A simple technique of sampling condensate from a commercial dehumidifier at 24-48 hour intervals identified SARS-CoV2 in a hospital setting. Four portable dehumidifiers obtained from Amazon were stationed at various locations in a Maryland hospital ward over 3 separate 1-week periods (June 29- July 5, July 22-August 10 and September 3-10). Among 34 condensate samples collected, 6 were tested as positive for SARS-CoV-2 antigens by ELISA, and none were positive for viral RNA by RT-LAMP or RT-PCR.

Moitra et al. (Oct 13, 2020). Rapid and Low-Cost Sampling for Detection of Airborne SARS-CoV-2 in Dehumidifier Condensate. Pre-print downloaded Oct 14 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.10.08.20208785