HALF of air samples taken from hospital corridors and a fifth from bathrooms have high coronavirus content, study finds
- Researchers looked at 24 studies from eight countries that examined COVID-19 and air pollution between January 1 and October 27
- Air samples from ICU chambers were more than twice as likely to be positive for virus genetic material at 25.2%, compared to 10.7% for non-ICU chambers
- More than a fifth, 23.8%, of the samples taken from toilets and / or bathrooms were positive for viral RNA
- Corridor samples were most likely positive at 56.3%
Large amounts of the new coronavirus can be found in the air in various hospital settings, a new study suggests.
Researchers found that a quarter of all IC rooms with COVID-19 patients were infected with genetic material from the virus known as SARS-CoV-2.
In addition, more than 20 percent of the samples from toilets and bathrooms and more than half of the samples from corridors came back positive.
The team at the central hospital at the University of Nantes in France say the high concentration of the virus, along with many people cramped in poorly ventilated rooms, may explain how primary health workers contract the virus despite wearing personal protective equipment.
Between January 1 and October 27, researchers looked at 24 studies from eight countries that examined COVID-19 and air pollution. Pictured: Medical staff member Tanna Ingraham talks to a patient at the COVID-19 ICU at the United Memorial Medical Center in Houston, Texas, Dec. 21
A total of 23.8% of the air samples taken from hospital toilets and bathrooms were positive for viral genetic material, as were 56.3% of the samples taken from corridors
For the analysis, published in JAMA Network Open, the team searched for articles on COVID-19 and air pollution between January 1 and October 27.
A total of 24 studies from eight countries were included, including the US, UK, Italy, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Iran.
Air samples were taken from the rooms of hospitalized patients, both in the ICU and outside; clinical areas, including nurse posts; staff areas such as dressing room; public areas such as corridors and main entrances; and toilets and / or bathrooms.
Of the 893 samples taken, 17.4 percent were positive for viral RNA, or genetic material, of the coronavirus.
Air samples from ICU rooms were more than twice as likely to be positive for the virus at 25.2 percent, compared with 10.7 percent for non-ICU rooms.
Aside from ICU rooms, the highest percentage of contaminated samples came from toilets and hallways.
More than a fifth, 23.8 percent, of the samples taken from toilets and / or bathrooms were positive for SARS-CoV-2.
Researchers say this is likely because bathrooms are small and poorly ventilated, in addition to genetic material from the virus found in stool samples.
“Flushing toilets can lead to RNA sprays in small and unventilated toilets or bathrooms,” they wrote.
Additionally, 56.3 percent of hallway samples came back positive with an overall positivity rate of 33.3 percent in public areas.
Samples from staff rooms were about 12 percent positive.
Overall, 19.2 percent of positive samples were found in conference rooms and 3.9 percent in locker rooms.
The finding of high concentrations in staff areas (i.e. conference and dining rooms) is consistent with the possible cross-transmission of COVID-19 between [healthcare professionals] during breaks, ‘the authors wrote.
“During these times, face masks are often removed in small spaces without ventilation.”
The team says it is not clear whether the air contains viruses viable enough to infect humans and hopes to study this topic in future research.
“High viral loads in toilets and / or bathrooms, staff areas, and public hallways call for careful consideration of these areas for the prevention of COVID-19 transmission,” the authors wrote.
However, the presence of viable viruses should be considered in the first place, as it is a necessary link for the cross-transmission potential.