Air dispersal of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2): Implications for hospital infection control during the fifth wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to the SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant in Hong Kong

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2023 Aug;44(8):1321-1324. doi: 10.1017/ice.2022.258. Epub 2022 Oct 24.

Abstract

We obtained 24 air samples in 8 general wards temporarily converted into negative-pressure wards admitting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) omicron variant BA.2.2 in Hong Kong. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 19 (79.2%) of 24 samples despite enhanced indoor air dilution. It is difficult to prevent airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in hospitals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Cross Infection*
  • Hong Kong / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • RNA, Viral

Supplementary concepts

  • SARS-CoV-2 variants