SARS-CoV-2 RNA Detection on Disposable Wooden Chopsticks, Hong Kong

Emerg Infect Dis. 2020 Sep;26(9):2274-2276. doi: 10.3201/eid2609.202135. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Abstract

We detected severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA on disposable wooden chopsticks used by 5 consecutive asymptomatic and postsymptomatic patients admitted for isolation and care at our hospital. Although we did not assess virus viability, our findings may suggest potential for transmission through shared eating utensils.

Keywords: 2019 novel coronavirus disease; COVID-19; Hong Kong; SARS-CoV-2; chopsticks; communal dining; coronavirus; respiratory infections; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; transmission; viruses.

Publication types

  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus / genetics*
  • COVID-19
  • Cooking and Eating Utensils*
  • Coronavirus Infections / transmission
  • Coronavirus Infections / virology*
  • Fomites / virology*
  • Hong Kong
  • Humans
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / transmission
  • Pneumonia, Viral / virology*
  • RNA, Viral / isolation & purification*
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Wood / virology

Substances

  • RNA, Viral