Winslow, RL, Zhou, J, Windle, EF, Nur, I, Lall, R 
ORCID: 0000-0003-1737-2866, Ji, C ORCID: 0000-0003-4919-3299, Millar, JE ORCID: 0000-0002-4853-9377, Dark, P ORCID: 0000-0003-3309-0164, Naisbitt, J, Simonds, A et al (show 7 more authors)
(2021)
SARS-CoV-2 environmental contamination from hospitalised COVID-19 patients receiving aerosol generating procedures
medRxiv.
2021.07.04.21259945-.
ISSN 3067-2007
Abstract
<h4>ABSTRACT</h4> <h4>Background</h4> Continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) and high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) are considered ‘aerosol-generating procedures’ (AGPs) in the treatment of COVID-19. We aimed to measure air and surface environmental contamination of SARS-CoV-2 virus when CPAP and HFNO were used, compared with supplemental oxygen, to investigate the potential risks of viral transmission to healthcare workers and patients. <h4>Methods</h4> 30 hospitalised patients with COVID-19 requiring supplemental oxygen, with a fraction of inspired oxygen ≥0.4 to maintain oxygen saturations ≥94%, were prospectively enrolled into an observational environmental sampling study. Participants received either supplemental oxygen, CPAP or HFNO (n=10 in each group). A nasopharyngeal swab, three air and three surface samples were collected from each participant and the clinical environment. RT qPCR analyses were performed for viral and human RNA, and positive/suspected-positive samples were cultured for the presence of biologically viable virus. <h4>Results</h4> Overall 21/30 (70%) of participants tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the nasopharynx. In contrast, only 4/90 (4%) and 6/90 (7%) of all air and surface samples tested positive (positive for E and ORF1a) for viral RNA respectively, although there were an additional 10 suspected-positive samples in both air and surfaces samples (positive for E or ORF1a). CPAP/HFNO use or coughing was not associated with significantly more environmental contamination. Only one nasopharyngeal sample was culture positive. <h4>Conclusions</h4> The use of CPAP and HFNO to treat moderate/severe COVID-19 was not associated with significantly higher levels of air or surface viral contamination in the immediate care environment.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | 3207 Medical Microbiology, 32 Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Coronaviruses Therapeutics and Interventions, Lung, Clinical Research, Genetics, Emerging Infectious Diseases, Biodefense, Coronaviruses, Infectious Diseases, Coronaviruses Diagnostics and Prognostics, 2.2 Factors relating to the physical environment, Infection, 3 Good Health and Well Being |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Infection, Vet & Ecological Sciences |
| Depositing User: | Symplectic Admin |
| Date Deposited: | 22 Oct 2021 07:01 |
| Last Modified: | 10 Apr 2026 18:05 |
| DOI: | 10.1101/2021.07.04.21259945 |
| Open Access URL: | https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.07.04.21259945 |
| Related Websites: | |
| URI: | https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3141194 |
| Disclaimer: | The University of Liverpool is not responsible for content contained on other websites from links within repository metadata. Please contact us if you notice anything that appears incorrect or inappropriate. |
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