SARS-CoV-2 RNA persists on surfaces following terminal disinfection of COVID-19 hospital isolation rooms

Abstract

We evaluated the effect of terminal cleaning on SARS-CoV-2 RNA contamination of COVID-19 isolation rooms in an acute care hospital. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected on 32.1% of room surfaces after cleaning; the odds of contamination increased with month. The prevalence of elevated high-touch surface contamination was lower in terminally cleaned rooms than patient-occupied rooms.

Keywords: Coronavirus Disease 2019; Surface disinfection; Terminal cleaning.