@article{d04c0f3cc4a34b2c9ddbb3b3cf002427,
title = "Detection of air and surface contamination by SARS-CoV-2 in hospital rooms of infected patients",
abstract = "Understanding the particle size distribution in the air and patterns of environmental contamination of SARS-CoV-2 is essential for infection prevention policies. Here we screen surface and air samples from hospital rooms of COVID-19 patients for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Environmental sampling is conducted in three airborne infection isolation rooms (AIIRs) in the ICU and 27 AIIRs in the general ward. 245 surface samples are collected. 56.7% of rooms have at least one environmental surface contaminated. High touch surface contamination is shown in ten (66.7%) out of 15 patients in the first week of illness, and three (20%) beyond the first week of illness (p = 0.01, χ2 test). Air sampling is performed in three of the 27 AIIRs in the general ward, and detects SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive particles of sizes >4 µm and 1–4 µm in two rooms, despite these rooms having 12 air changes per hour. This warrants further study of the airborne transmission potential of SARS-CoV-2.",
author = "{for the Singapore 2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak Research Team} and Chia, {Po Ying} and Coleman, {Kristen Kelli} and Tan, {Yian Kim} and Ong, {Sean Wei Xiang} and Marcus Gum and Lau, {Sok Kiang} and Lim, {Xiao Fang} and Lim, {Ai Sim} and Stephanie Sutjipto and Lee, {Pei Hua} and Son, {Than The} and Young, {Barnaby Edward} and Milton, {Donald K.} and Gray, {Gregory C.} and Stephan Schuster and Timothy Barkham and De, {Partha Pratim} and Shawn Vasoo and Monica Chan and Ang, {Brenda Sze Peng} and Tan, {Boon Huan} and Leo, {Yee Sin} and Ng, {Oon Tek} and Wong, {Michelle Su Yen} and Kalisvar Marimuthu and Lye, {David Chien} and Lim, {Poh Lian} and Lee, {Cheng Chuan} and Ling, {Li Min} and Lawrence Lee and Lee, {Tau Hong} and Wong, {Chen Seong} and Sapna Sadarangani and Lin, {Ray Junhao} and Ng, {Deborah Hee Ling} and Mucheli Sadasiv and Yeo, {Tsin Wen} and Choy, {Chiaw Yee} and Tan, {Glorijoy Shi En} and Frederico Dimatatac and Santos, {Isais Florante} and Go, {Chi Jong} and Chan, {Yu Kit} and Tay, {Jun Yang} and Tan, {Jackie Yu Ling} and Nihar Pandit and Ho, {Benjamin Choon Heng} and Shehara Mendis and Chen, {Yuan Yi Constance} and Abdad, {Mohammad Yazid}",
note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2020, The Author(s).",
year = "2020",
month = dec,
day = "1",
doi = "10.1038/s41467-020-16670-2",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "11",
journal = "Nature communications",
issn = "2041-1723",
publisher = "Nature Research",
number = "1",
}