Aerosol and surface contamination of SARS-CoV-2 observed in quarantine and isolation care

Joshua L. Santarpia, Danielle N. Rivera, Vicki L. Herrera, M. Jane Morwitzer, Hannah M. Creager, George W. Santarpia, Kevin K. Crown, David M. Brett-Major, Elizabeth R. Schnaubelt, M. Jana Broadhurst, James V. Lawler, St Patrick Reid, John J. Lowe

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

396 Scopus citations

Abstract

The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) originated in Wuhan, China in late 2019, and its resulting coronavirus disease, COVID-19, was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. The rapid global spread of COVID-19 represents perhaps the most significant public health emergency in a century. As the pandemic progressed, a continued paucity of evidence on routes of SARS-CoV-2 transmission has resulted in shifting infection prevention and control guidelines between classically-defined airborne and droplet precautions. During the initial isolation of 13 individuals with COVID-19 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, we collected air and surface samples to examine viral shedding from isolated individuals. We detected viral contamination among all samples, supporting the use of airborne isolation precautions when caring for COVID-19 patients.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number12732
JournalScientific reports
Volume10
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2020

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Aerosol and surface contamination of SARS-CoV-2 observed in quarantine and isolation care'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this