Air and surface contamination by SARS-CoV-2 virus in a tertiary hospital in Wuhan, China

Highlights • We tested 12 air and 355 surface samples in a hospital for SARS-CoV-2. • Only one air sample taken during the intubation procedure tested positive. • Low level of surface contamination was found, most occurred in high-touch surfaces. • No association was found between surface contamination and patient characteristics.
Background Few studies have explored the air and surface contamination by SARS-CoV-2 virus in healthcare settings. Methods We collected air and surface samples from the isolation wards and intensive care units designated for COVID-19 patients. The clinical data and tests result of nasopharyngeal specimens and serum antibodies were also collected from the sampling patients. Results A total of 367 air and surface swabbing samples were collected from the patient care areas of 15 mild and 9 severe/critical COVID-19 patients. Only one air sample taken during the intubation procedure tested positive. High-touch surfaces were slightly more likely contaminated by the RNA of the SARS-CoV-2 virus than low-touch surfaces. Contamination rates was slightly higher near severe/critical patients compared to those near mild patients, although not statistically significant (p