RT info:eu-repo/semantics/article
T1 Environmental dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 in a university hospital during the COVID-19 5th wave Delta variant peak in Castile-León, Spain
A1 Gomes da Silva, Priscilla
A1 Gonçalves, José
A1 Torres Franco, Andrés Felipe
A1 Rodríguez, Elisa
A1 Díaz Villalobos, Israel
A1 Orduña Domingo, Antonio
A1 Garcinuño Pérez, Sonsoles
A1 March Roselló, Gabriel Alberto
A1 Dueñas Gutiérrez, Carlos Jesús
A1 São José Nascimento, Maria
A1 Sousa, Sofia I. V.
A1 García Encina, Pedro Antonio
A1 Mesquita, João
K1 SARS-CoV-2
K1 Airborne transmission
K1 Nosocomial infections
K1 Infección hospitalaria
K1 Infectious diseases
K1 COVID-19
K1 Environmental sampling
K1 Air quality - Measurement
K1 Air - Pollution
K1 Aire - Calidad
K1 Public health
K1 Salud pública - España - Castilla y León
K1 32 Ciencias Médicas
K1 3205.05 Enfermedades Infecciosas
K1 2509.02 Contaminación Atmosférica
K1 3212 Salud Publica
AB The dominant SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant (B.1.617.2) became the main circulating variant among countries by mid 2021. Attention was raised to the increased risk of airborne transmission, leading to nosocomial outbreaks even among vaccinated individuals. Considering the increased number of COVID-19 hospital admissions fueled by the spread of the variant, with Spain showing the highest COVID-19 rates in mainland Europe by July 2021, the aim of this study was to assess SARS-CoV-2 environmental contamination in different areas of a University Hospital in the region of Castile-León, Spain, during the peak of the 5th wave of COVID-19 in the country (July 2021). Air samples were collected from sixteen different areas of the Hospital using a Coriolis® μ air sampler. Surface samples were collected in these same areas using sterile flocked plastic swabs. RNA extraction followed by a one-step RT-qPCR were performed for detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Of the 21 air samples, only one was positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, from the emergency waiting room. Of the 40 surface samples, 2 were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, both from the microbiology laboratory. These results may be relevant for risk assessment of nosocomial infection within healthcare facilities, thus helping prevent and minimize healthcare staff’s exposure to SARS-CoV-2, reinforcing the importance of always wearing appropriate and well-fit masks at all times and proper PPE when in contact with infected patients.
PB MDPI
SN 1660-4601
YR 2023
FD 2023
LK https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/63271
UL https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/63271
LA eng
NO International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2023, Vol. 20, Nº. 2,1574
NO Producción Científica
DS UVaDOC
RD 11-jul-2024