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. 2020 Sep;26(9):2274-2276.
doi: 10.3201/eid2609.202135. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

SARS-CoV-2 RNA Detection on Disposable Wooden Chopsticks, Hong Kong

Grace Lui, Christopher K C Lai, Zigui Chen, Sylvia L Y Tong, Wendy C S Ho, Apple C M Yeung, Siaw S Boon, Rita W Y Ng, Paul K S Chan

SARS-CoV-2 RNA Detection on Disposable Wooden Chopsticks, Hong Kong

Grace Lui et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2020 Sep.

Abstract

We detected severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA on disposable wooden chopsticks used by 5 consecutive asymptomatic and postsymptomatic patients admitted for isolation and care at our hospital. Although we did not assess virus viability, our findings may suggest potential for transmission through shared eating utensils.

Keywords: 2019 novel coronavirus disease; COVID-19; Hong Kong; SARS-CoV-2; chopsticks; communal dining; coronavirus; respiratory infections; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; transmission; viruses.

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Figures

Figure
Figure
Timelines showing results of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 reverse transcription -PCR testing of chopsticks used by 5 patients in Hong Kong. The results of testing on serial respiratory specimens confirmed that all chopstick samples were collected when patients were shedding viruses from the respiratory tract. A) Patient A was asymptomatic. B) Patient B was postsymptomatic. C) Patient C had severe infection with pneumonia and desaturation. D) Patient D had moderate infection with pneumonia. E) Patient E was postsymptomatic.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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