Environmental contamination with COVID-19: how big is the risk?

Posted

7th May 2020

Research

There have been several studies examining the potential risk for contaminated environmental surfaces being involved in the transmission of COVID-19. We know that the SARS-CoV-2 virus, that causes COVID-19, can survive on dry surfaces for days, like its ‘cousins’ the SARS and MERS viruses. We know it can be found in clinical settings during the care of patients with COVID-19, and epidemiological information supports contact and droplet spread of COVID-19.

We know already from work done with other respiratory viruses like influenza and SARS that both contact and droplet transmission routes are important, especially in healthcare settings. In fact, epidemiological and modelling studies suggest that in some circumstances, contact routes can be more important than droplet routes in the transmission of influenza.

Data for the SARS-CoV-2 virus is emerging rapidly. From a biological point of view, the SARS-CoV-2 virus is structurally very similar to the SARS-CoV-1 virus (that causes SARS) so it seems reasonable that the transmission routes for SARS and COVID-19 are likely to be similar. Indeed, a laboratory based study showed that the SARS-CoV-2 virus shares very similar surface and air survival properties to the SARS-CoV-1 virus, having the capacity to survive for days on surfaces and in a laboratory-generated aerosol.

Several studies performed in clinical settings have tested surfaces to see whether the SARS-CoV-2 virus can be detected. For example, a study found that SARS-CoV-2 RNA could be found on a range of surfaces in two wards being used to care for patients with COVID-19. However, viral culture was not performed, so it’s not clear whether the RNA detected is from viable virus particles.

We know the droplet and contact transmission routes of related respiratory viruses. This, and the emerging evidence related to the SARS-CoV-2 viruses, supports an important role for surface contamination in the spread of COVID-19.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

Tags

Latest News

Research

Clean Between to Reduce Healthcare-Associated Infections

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a significant concern for healthcare facilities…

Research

Wiping away infections – the CLEEN way!

Cleaning shared medical equipment with a disinfectant wipe at least…

Events and Exhibitions

IPC Tour 2024 Highlights

GAMA Healthcare and ACIPC once again joined forces to bring…

Research

Can patient and resident hand hygiene be part of the solution to preventing infections?

The importance of practising proper hand hygiene is widely considered…