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. 2021 Apr;27(4):1229-1231.
doi: 10.3201/eid2704.203631.

Risk for Fomite-Mediated Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Child Daycares, Schools, Nursing Homes, and Offices

Alicia N M Kraay, Michael A L Hayashi, David M Berendes, Julia S Sobolik, Juan S Leon, Benjamin A Lopman

Risk for Fomite-Mediated Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Child Daycares, Schools, Nursing Homes, and Offices

Alicia N M Kraay et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2021 Apr.

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 can persist on surfaces, suggesting possible surface-mediated transmission of this pathogen. We found that fomites might be a substantial source of transmission risk, particularly in schools and child daycares. Combining surface cleaning and decontamination with mask wearing can help mitigate this risk.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; United States; cleaning; coronavirus disease; daycares; disinfection; fomite; nursing homes; offices; respiratory infections; schools; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; transmission; viruses; zoonoses.

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Figures

Figure
Figure
Reductions in the basic reproduction number for the fomite pathway for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 on stainless steel (A), plastic (B), and cloth surfaces (C), by setting (defined by hourly fomite touching rates [ρTand proportion of accessible surfaces [λ). For areas in green, the projected reproduction number from fomite transmission is <1. For comparison, cleaning every 2 hours was considered as a sensitivity analysis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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