Airborne transmission is not the main route of COVID-19 infection. However, a few studies have suggested that SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted through the air. A team of experts from HKUMed sampled the air around six symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with COVID-19. Swab samples were also collected from frequently touched surfaces in the wards where 21 patients with COVID-19 were staying. Study results were published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.
Key takeaways from the study:
- SARS-CoV-2 was not detected in air samples collected from the six patients with COVID-19
- A total of 377 swab samples were collected from objects in the wards where the 21 patients with COVID-19 were staying
- SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 19/377 (5%) of swab samples
- The virus was detected on mobile phones (6/77), bed rails (4/74), toilet door handles (4/76), bed tables (3/76) and lockers (2/74)
In this study, SARS-CoV-2 was not found in the air samples collected 10 cm from the patients with or without a surgical mask, suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 was not transmitted through the air. However, the environment is easily contaminated if a patient has a high viral load. As environmental surfaces such as bed rails and toilet handles are frequently touched by patients with COVID-19 in the wards, proper hand hygiene should be encouraged among healthcare workers. Patients should wear surgical masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 through respiratory droplets or saliva in the environment they are in.
To read the original article published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, click here.
