1. Longitudinal Monitoring of SARS-CoV‑2 RNA on High-Touch Surfaces in a Community Setting
- Author
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Harvey, Abigail P, Fuhrmeister, Erica R, Cantrell, Molly E, Pitol, Ana K, Swarthout, Jenna M, Powers, Julie E, Nadimpalli, Maya L, Julian, Timothy R, and Pickering, Amy J
- Subjects
Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation ,Environmental Sciences ,Prevention ,Infectious Diseases ,Emerging Infectious Diseases ,Vaccine Related ,Biodefense ,Lung ,Infection ,Good Health and Well Being ,Environmental Science and Management ,Environmental Engineering ,Environmental Biotechnology ,Chemical engineering ,Pollution and contamination - Abstract
Environmental surveillance of surface contamination is an unexplored tool for understanding transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in community settings. We conducted longitudinal swab sampling of high-touch non-porous surfaces in a Massachusetts town during a COVID-19 outbreak from April to June 2020. Twenty-nine of 348 (8.3%) surface samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, including crosswalk buttons, trash can handles, and door handles of essential business entrances (grocery store, liquor store, bank, and gas station). The estimated risk of infection from touching a contaminated surface was low (less than 5 in 10,000) by quantitative microbial risk assessment, suggesting fomites play a minimal role in SARS-CoV-2 community transmission. The weekly percentage of positive samples (out of n = 33 unique surfaces per week) best predicted variation in city-level COVID-19 cases with a 7-day lead time. Environmental surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on high-touch surfaces may be a useful tool to provide early warning of COVID-19 case trends.
- Published
- 2021