Detection of SARS-CoV-2 genome in the air, surfaces, and wastewater of the referral hospitals, Gorgan, north of Iran

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic caused by the novel virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Knowing the virus's behavior and its persistence in different environments are crucial and will lead to the proper management of the disease. In this study, air, surface, and sewage samples were taken from different parts of referral hospitals for COVID-19. Materials and Methods: Air samples were taken with impinger, surface samples with swabs, and sewage samples were taken from the hospital wastewater treatment plant. After viral genome extraction, a real-time RT-PCR test was applied to confirm the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the collected samples. Results: The virus genome could be traced in the wards and wastewater related to hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Overally, 29%, 16%, and 37.5% of air, surface, and sewage samples were positive for the SARS-CoV-2 genome, respectively. Conclusion: Findings of such studies provide valuable results regarding the degree of contamination of hospital environments and the risk of virus transmission in different environments and among hospital staff and patients.

Keywords

• COVID-19;
• SARS-CoV-2;
• Hospital contamination;
• Air pollution;
• Environmental contamination;
• Wastewater