Survival of SARS-CoV-2 and Other Pathogens in the Environment of a University Hospital and a Thai-Malaysia Border Control Post: A Cross-sectional Study
Keywords:
SARS-CoV-2, airborne transmission, university hospital, customs offices, air monitoringAbstract
The rapid global spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) since December 2019 has highlighted the importance of understanding its modes of transmission, including through large droplets, contact with contaminated surfaces (fomites), and airborne aerosols. Environmental factors such as ventilation conditions can influence SARS-CoV-2 transmission rates. The objective of this study was to investigate airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory pathogens in hospital and customs environments in Songkhla, Thailand, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Air monitoring was conducted at various locations, including hospital wards and customs offices, using multiple bioaerosol samplers. Two phases of sampling were carried out in August-September 2020 and in June-September 2021. Bioaerosol sampling was conducted using four types of samplers: N6 Single Stage Andersen Cascade Impactor, midget impinger, liquid impinger, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) filters. Additionally, a biosampler was utilized for measuring viable microbial load. Respiratory pathogens were identified using real-time RT-PCR assays. Frequencies, percentages, Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r), and linear regression were used for data analysis. Pathogen results were reported qualitatively (detected/non-detectable) and as percentages. No airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 or other respiratory pathogens was detected in the monitored environments during the study period. There were 3 potential risk areas of SARS-CoV-2 survival conditions with the relative humidity (45-50%RH) and temperate (24-25 OC), especially the isolation rooms did fall in the range allowing SARS-CoV-2 survival. There was no evidence of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 or other airborne pathogens in thehospital or the Customs and Immigration environments. However, the relative humidity and temperate of ICU and isolation rooms were fit for SARS-CoV-2 survival. Therefore, the setting of ventilation system in both enclosed office and hospital should be considered the transmission of airborne pathogens.
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