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 24-nov-2024