Severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA and viable virus contamination of hospital emergency department surfaces and association with patient coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) status and aerosol-generating procedures

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2024 Feb;45(2):244-246. doi: 10.1017/ice.2023.183. Epub 2023 Sep 28.

Abstract

Emergency departments are high-risk settings for severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) surface contamination. Environmental surface samples were obtained in rooms with patients suspected of having COVID-19 who did or did not undergo aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs). SARS-CoV-2 RNA surface contamination was most frequent in rooms occupied by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients who received no AGPs.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Hospitals
  • Humans
  • RNA, Viral
  • Respiratory Aerosols and Droplets
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • RNA, Viral