J Med Virol. 2021 Apr 29. doi: 10.1002/jmv.27029. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
The present study was conducted during 1st July, 2020 to 25th September, 2020 in a dedicated COVID-19 hospital in Delhi, India to provide the evidences for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus in atmospheric air and surfaces of the hospital wards. Swabs from hospital surfaces (patient's bed, ward floor & nursing stations area) and suspended particulate matters in ambient air were collected by a portable air sampler from medicine ward, ICU and emergency ward admitting COVID-19 patients. By performing RT-PCR for E-gene and RdRp gene, SARS-CoV-2 virus was detected from hospital surfaces and particulate matters from ambient air of various wards collected at 1 & 3 meter distance from active COVID-19 patients. Presence of virus in air beyond 1 meter distance from the patients and surfaces of hospital indicates that SARS-CoV-2 virus has potential to be transmitted by airborne and surface routes from COVID-19 patients to health care workers working in COVID-19 dedicated hospital. This warrants that precautions against airborne and surface transmission of COVID-19 in community should be taken when markets, industries, educational institutions etc. reopen for normal activities. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
PMID:33913527 | DOI:10.1002/jmv.27029