key: cord-0713165-flg3rexf
authors: Zhou, Yunyun; Zeng, Yuyang; Chen, Changzheng
title: Presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Isolation Ward Environment 28 Days after Exposure
date: 2020-06-10
journal: Int J Infect Dis
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.06.015
sha: 469e6324744c73b933b9e7657fd72c093d469222
doc_id: 713165
cord_uid: flg3rexf

nan

The World Health Organization has defined Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA is one of the diagnostic standards for COVID-19 [1, 2] . A previous study reported the transmission of Human coronaviruses (HCoVs) through contaminated surfaces and objects in healthcare settings [3] . Surfaces and objects found in the rooms of infected patients that are frequently touched by both medical staff and patients could be contaminated with coronavirus [4, 5] , indicating that viral contamination in hospital wards may facilitate contact transmission of respiratory viruses. The detection of SARS-CoV-2 in isolation ward environments is particularly important in this context.

We will report on the results of environmental monitoring in isolation wards of admitted COVID-19 patients. We found that on the 28th day following discharge of COVID-19 patients, SARS-CoV-2 RNA could still be detected on the surfaces of pagers and in drawers in the isolation wards. Thorough disinfection of the ward environment was subsequently performed, including air and surface disinfection.

The air disinfection was performed firstly by the ultraviolet radiation for one hour, and then by evenly spraying 3% hydrogen peroxide or 5000 mg/L peroxyacetic acid or 500mg/L chlorine dioxide into the air using ultra-low volume sprayer for two hours. 

National Health Commission of China. New coronavirus pneumonia prevention and control program

Development and Clinical Application of A Rapid IgM-IgG Combined Antibody Test for SARS-CoV-2 Infection Diagnosis

Environmental Contamination and Viral Shedding in MERS Patients During MERS-CoV Outbreak in South Korea

Detection of airborne severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus and environmental contamination in SARS outbreak units

Aerosol and Surface Distribution of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in Hospital Wards

New coronavirus pneumonia prevention and control program

Aerosol and Surface Stability of SARS-CoV-2 as Compared with SARS-CoV-1

These authors contributed to the work equally and should be regarded as co-first authors Acknowledgment Not applicable.J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committees of Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University.

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.