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. 2021 Jun;49(6):840-842.
doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2021.01.007. Epub 2021 Jan 12.

Nondetection of SARS-CoV-2 on high-touch surfaces of public areas next to COVID-19 hospitalization units

Laura Gavaldà-Mestre  1 , Dolors Ramírez-Tarruella  2 , Carme Gutiérrez-Milla  3 , Ferran Guillamet-Roig  2 , Rosa Orriols-Ramos  4 , Sònia Ragull Tisner  5 , Noemí Pàrraga-Niño  6
Affiliations

Nondetection of SARS-CoV-2 on high-touch surfaces of public areas next to COVID-19 hospitalization units

Laura Gavaldà-Mestre et al. Am J Infect Control. 2021 Jun.

Abstract

We studied the contamination with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the bacterial load of high-touch surfaces located in public areas next to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) hospitalization units. Ninety-two samples were obtained from 46 different high-touch surfaces: 36 sites next to COVID-19 hospitalization units and 10 sites in the cabins of the public elevators. SARS-CoV-2 was not detected at any site, despite high bacterial loads suggested that the studied sites had been frequently touched prior to the sampling.

Keywords: Environmental contamination; Infection prevention; Surface sampling.

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