Open AccessAnalysis of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on surfaces in New York City
Author(s) -
Rabia Karani,
Qun Zeng,
Aliaa H. Abdelhakim,
Vlad Diaconita,
Omar Moussa,
Hongning Zhou,
Tarun Sharma,
Marium Sohail,
Zachary E Snow,
Alexis Kassotis,
Angela Y Chang,
Saurabh Sudesh,
Stanley Chang,
Jason Horowitz,
Lisa Park,
Danielle Trief,
Tongalp H. Tezel
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of global health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.581
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 2047-2986
pISSN - 2047-2978
DOI - 10.7189/jogh.11.05022
Subject(s) - covid-19 , rna , medicine , pandemic , asymptomatic , virology , biology , genetics , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , gene
Background This study sought to determine the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus on surfaces that trainees and faculty of an academic eye clinic came into contact with during daily life at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City. Methods This cross-sectional analysis involved collection of at least two samples by teams on four different days (November 9, 2020 – December 18, 2020) using sterile swabs (Puritan HydraFlock, Garden Grove, CA). Collection sites were grouped into four zones depending on proximity and amount of time personnel spent there. Samples were transported to the laboratory in transport medium and RNA was extracted using the QIAamp DSP Viral RNA Mini Kit (Qiagen, Germantown, MD). Presence of viral RNA was investigated using the Luna Universal Probe One-step RT–qPCR kit (New England Biolabs, Ipwsich, MA). Results 834 samples were submitted. Two were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The first was a sample from a patient bathroom sink handle in the main emergency department. The second was a nasal swab sample from a staff member who had been assigned to collect samples. Prior to this positive result, this asymptomatic staff member had tested positive for COVID-19, had quarantined for two weeks, and had received a negative test. Conclusion Though COVID-19 is currently widespread in the United States, this study shows that health care personnel working in New York City at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center have a low chance of encountering viral RNA on surfaces they are in close contact with during daily life.