SARS-CoV-2 Aerosol and Surface Detections in COVID-19 Testing Centers and Implications for Transmission Risk in Public Facing Workers

Sarah J Stein; Ashley R Ravnholdt; Vicki L Herrera; Danielle N Rivera; Paul T Williams; Joshua L Santarpia

doi:10.3390/ijerph20020976

SARS-CoV-2 Aerosol and Surface Detections in COVID-19 Testing Centers and Implications for Transmission Risk in Public Facing Workers

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Jan 5;20(2):976. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20020976.

Authors

Sarah J Stein¹, Ashley R Ravnholdt¹, Vicki L Herrera¹, Danielle N Rivera^{2

3}, Paul T Williams¹, Joshua L Santarpia^{1

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pathology and Microiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68106, USA.
² Global Center for Health Security, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68106, USA.
³ National Strategic Research Institute, Omaha, NE 68106, USA.

Abstract

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and resulting COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic have required mass diagnostic testing, often taking place in testing sites within hospitals, clinics, or at satellite locations. To establish the potential of SARS-CoV-2 aerosol transmission and to identify junctures during testing that result in increased viral exposure, aerosol and surface samples were examined for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from locations within Nebraska Medicine COVID-19 testing and vaccine clinics. Aerosols containing SARS-CoV-2 RNA detected within clinics suggest viral shedding from infected individuals. SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection in aerosol samples was shown to correlate with clinic operation and patient infection, as well as with community infection findings. Additionally, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in surface samples collected from clinics. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in aerosols in these clinics supports the continued use of respiratory protection and sanitization practices for healthcare workers, and other workers with public facing occupations.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; environmental contamination; infection risk.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

COVID-19 Testing
COVID-19* / diagnosis
COVID-19* / epidemiology
Humans
RNA, Viral
Respiratory Aerosols and Droplets
SARS-CoV-2* / genetics

Substances

RNA, Viral

Grants and funding

This manuscript has been authored by a subcontractor of Battelle National Biodefense Institute, LLC under Contract No. HSHQDC-15-C-00064 with the US Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate. The United States Government retains, and the publisher, by accepting the article for publication, acknowledges that the United States Government retains a non-exclusive, paid up, irrevocable, world-wide license to publish or reproduce the published form of this manuscript, or allow others to do so, for United States Government purposes.