Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Contamination in Air and Environment in Temporary COVID-19 ICU Wards

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has recently spread worldwide partly through environmental and airborne contamination. The number of patients requiring intensive care unit (ICU)-based healthcare services exceeds the available negative-pressure isolation ICU room capacity. Some general wards of Wuhan hospitals have been temporarily converted into COVID-19 ICU wards and pose safety concerns. We explored the safety of these temporary COVID-19 ICU wards. Methods: Fifteen air samples and 128 environmental surface swabs were collected from 14 patients in 4 departments with temporary COVID-19 ICU wards. Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR) methods confirmed the existence of COVID-19 pathogens. Results: Four of the 15 air samples were obtained during aerosol-generating medical procedures (1 tracheostomy, 1 high-flow nasal cannula [HFNC], 1 HFNC+nebulization, 1 non-invasive positive pressure ventilation). Five patients were administered invasive positive pressure ventilation through tracheostomy. All air samples tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR. Viruses were detected on the surface of a patient’s gastric tube, and an anal tube swab tested positive. Five days later, the anal swab of the patient remained positive, although viral RNA of the nasopharyngeal swap turned negative. Conclusions: Establishing temporary isolation COVID-19 ICU wards is a safe and effective method to increase surge capacity in a hospital. SARS-CoV-2 sheds from the enteric canal after viral clearance in the respiratory tract. Reinforcing disinfection of tubes and circuits given to the patients is essential in COVID-19 isolation wards to decrease nosocomial transmission.