The duration of SARS-CoV-2 positive in the environments of quarantine rooms: a perspective analysis

Abstract

\n Objective\n To explore the duration of SARS-CoV-2 remained in the environment of quarantine hotels.\n \n Methods\n \n 39 Patients by RT-PCR were included. We collected the clinical features, laboratory test results, smear sample information, and quarantine room information. Genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were launched. We analyzed the factors associated with environmental contamination.\n \n Result\n Among 39 COVID-19 cases, 10 were asymptomatic and 37 were imported from aboard. 271 swab samples of environmental surfaces related to observational patients were collected. 18 swab samples from 7 patients were positive. The highest contaminated rate occurred in Cup (100%), followed by hand sink (12.82%) and toilet seat and flush (7.89%), telephone (5.56%), bedside table (5.56%), floor drain (5.41%), etc. It showed environmental surface contamination was associated with the clinical cyclical threshold values of patients (P\u2009=\u20090.01) and the sampling interval time after the cases left the room(P\u2009=\u20090.03). Duration of contamination on environmental surfaces was associated with the wet status of sampling site (P\u2009=\u20090.01).\n \n Conclusion\n Our findings revealed that environmental contamination might be attributed to the viral load of patients respiratory tract and the sampling interval time after the cases left the room. Moist surfaces are prone to remain SARS-CoV-2 RNA positive. Our study highlighted the importance of strict strategy to chemical disinfection in the quarantine rooms.\n