Dataset Information

Longitudinal Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on High-Touch Surfaces in a Community Setting.

ABSTRACT: Environmental surveillance of surface contamination is an unexplored tool for understanding transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in community settings. We conducted longitudinal swab sampling of high-touch non-porous surfaces in a Massachusetts town during a COVID-19 outbreak from April to June 2020. Twenty-nine of 348 (8.3%) surface samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, including crosswalk buttons, trash can handles, and door handles of essential business entrances (grocery store, liquor store, bank, and gas station). The estimated risk of infection from touching a contaminated surface was low (less than 5 in 10,000) by quantitative microbial risk assessment, suggesting fomites play a minimal role in SARS-CoV-2 community transmission. The weekly percentage of positive samples (out of n = 33 unique surfaces per week) best predicted variation in city-level COVID-19 cases with a 7-day lead time. Environmental surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on high-touch surfaces may be a useful tool to provide early warning of COVID-19 case trends.

SUBMITTER: Harvey AP

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7927285 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Longitudinal Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on High-Touch Surfaces in a Community Setting.

Harvey Abigail P AP Fuhrmeister Erica R ER Cantrell Molly E ME Pitol Ana K AK Swarthout Jenna M JM Powers Julie E JE Nadimpalli Maya L ML Julian Timothy R TR Pickering Amy J AJ

Environmental science & technology letters 20201214 2

Environmental surveillance of surface contamination is an unexplored tool for understanding transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in community settings. We conducted longitudinal swab sampling of high-touch non-porous surfaces in a Massachusetts town during a COVID-19 outbreak from April to June 2020. Twenty-nine of 348 (8.3%) surface samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, including crosswalk buttons, trash can handles, and door handles of essential business entrances (grocery store, liquor store, bank, ...[more]

PMID: 34192125

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Project description:ImportanceThe association between COVID-19 symptoms and SARS-CoV-2 viral levels in children living in the community is not well understood.ObjectiveTo characterize symptoms of pediatric COVID-19 in the community and analyze the association between symptoms and SARS-CoV-2 RNA levels, as approximated by cycle threshold (Ct) values, in children and adults.Design, setting, and participantsThis cross-sectional study used a respiratory virus surveillance platform in persons of all ages to detect community COVID-19 cases from March 23 to November 9, 2020. A population-based convenience sample of children younger than 18 years and adults in King County, Washington, who enrolled online for home self-collection of upper respiratory samples for SARS-CoV-2 testing were included.ExposuresDetection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from participant-collected samples.Main outcomes and measuresRT-PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, with Ct values stratified by age and symptoms.ResultsAmong 555 SARS-CoV-2-positive participants (mean [SD] age, 33.7 [20.1] years; 320 were female [57.7%]), 47 of 123 children (38.2%) were asymptomatic compared with 31 of 432 adults (7.2%). When symptomatic, fewer symptoms were reported in children compared with adults (mean [SD], 1.6 [2.0] vs 4.5 [3.1]). Symptomatic individuals had lower Ct values (which corresponded to higher viral RNA levels) than asymptomatic individuals (adjusted estimate for children, -3.0; 95% CI, -5.5 to -0.6; P = .02; adjusted estimate for adults, -2.9; 95% CI, -5.2 to -0.6; P = .01). The difference in mean Ct values was neither statistically significant between symptomatic children and symptomatic adults (adjusted estimate, -0.7; 95% CI, -2.2 to 0.9; P = .41) nor between asymptomatic children and asymptomatic adults (adjusted estimate, -0.6; 95% CI, -4.0 to 2.8; P = .74).Conclusions and relevanceIn this community-based cross-sectional study, SARS-CoV-2 RNA levels, as determined by Ct values, were significantly higher in symptomatic individuals than in asymptomatic individuals and no significant age-related differences were found. Further research is needed to understand the role of SARS-CoV-2 RNA levels and viral transmission.

Dataset Information

Longitudinal Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on High-Touch Surfaces in a Community Setting.

Publications

Longitudinal Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on High-Touch Surfaces in a Community Setting.

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