key: cord-0761992-rxhv83o5
authors: Abrahao, J. S.; Pengo, L. S.; Rezende, I. M.; Rodrigues, R.; Crispim, A. P. C.; Moura, C.; Mendonca, D. C.; Reis, E.; Souza, F.; Oliveira, G. F. G.; Domingos, I. J. d. S.; Boratto, P.; e Silva, P. H. B.; Queiroz, V. F.; Silva, T. B. d. S.; Oliveira, G. P.; Alves, V. d. S.; Alves, P. A.; Kroon, E. G.; Trindade, G. d. S.; Drumond, B. P.
title: Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on public surfaces in a densely populated urban area of Brazil
date: 2020-05-08
journal: nan
DOI: 10.1101/2020.05.07.20094631
sha: d339d92cf98e83c5d16ddd5fc466a7d3240a2d41
doc_id: 761992
cord_uid: rxhv83o5

Importance: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in more than 3.5 million cases and 245 thousand deaths worldwide as of May 6, 2020. Determining the extent of the presence of the virus on public surfaces is critical for understanding the potential risk of infection in these areas. Objective: To evaluate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on public surfaces in a densely populated urban area in Brazil. Design and Setting: A total of 101 samples were collected from different surfaces in public places in the region of Belo Horizonte with the highest number of COVID-19 cases. Samples were collected near the hospital and public transportation areas using sterile swabs, and then submitted to nucleic acid extraction and genomic detection and quantification by one-step qPCR. Results: Seventeen of the 101 samples tested positive (16.8%) for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, including samples from bus stations/terminals, public squares, and sidewalks, including those near hospitals. Conclusions and Relevance: Our data indicated the contamination of public surfaces by SARS-CoV-2, especially near hospital areas, highlighting the risk of infection for the population. Constant monitoring of the virus in urban areas is required as a strategy to fight the pandemic and prevent further infections.

Importance: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in more than 3.5 million cases and 245 thousand deaths worldwide as of May 6, 2020. Determining the extent of the presence of the virus on public surfaces is critical for understanding the potential risk of infection in these areas. was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted medRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. 

Since late December 2019, the world has experienced the worst global health crisis in recent decades. This pandemic, called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and has affected several sectors, including those related to medicine, economics, and politics, among others. 1-4 COVID-19 has already affected over 200 countries, resulting in more than 3.5 million cases and 245 thousand deaths worldwide as of May 6, 2020. 5 In Brazil, the first official case was registered on February 26, 2020, and more than 126,000 confirmed cases and 8,500 deaths had been registered across the country as of May 6, 2020. was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted medRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity.

The copyright holder for this preprint (which this version posted May 8, 2020. of the four bus terminals tested, in a total of six handrails (5.9%), three from terminal 1, one from terminal 3, and two from terminal 4 (50 to 2,110 genomic units/m 2 ). Finally, All rights reserved. No reuse allowed without permission.

was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted medRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity.

The copyright holder for this preprint (which this version posted May 8, 2020. . https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.05.07.20094631 doi: medRxiv preprint 6 we detected viral RNA in four samples from three public squares: one from a concrete table in square A, and three from concrete benches -one from square B and two from square C (3.9%) (20 to 200 genomic units/m 2 ). The Belo Horizonte City Hall was informed about the contaminated areas, and, after disinfection (laundry detergent followed by 1% sodium hypochlorite), viral RNA could no longer be detected.

Although we sought to detect the presence of viral RNA, not infectious particles, it is highly plausible that infectious particles were also present in these environments, and care must be taken to avoid further contamination and the eventual collapse of the local was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted medRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity.

The copyright holder for this preprint (which this version posted May 8, 2020. . https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.05.07.20094631 doi: medRxiv preprint

A Novel Coronavirus from Patients with Pneumonia in China

Coronaviridae Study Group of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses. The species Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus: classifying 2019-nCoV and naming it SARS-CoV-2

How Will COVID-19 Affect the Health Care Economy? JAMA Health Forum

Factors Associated With Mental Health Outcomes Among Health Care Workers Exposed to Coronavirus Disease

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

We thank our colleagues from Laboratório de Vírus -UFMG (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais) for their assistance. In addition, we thank the Pró Reitorias was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted medRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted medRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity.The copyright holder for this preprint (which this version posted May 8, 2020. . https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.05.07.20094631 doi: medRxiv preprint All rights reserved. No reuse allowed without permission.was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted medRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity.The copyright holder for this preprint (which this version posted May 8, 2020. All rights reserved. No reuse allowed without permission.was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted medRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity.The copyright holder for this preprint (which this version posted May 8, 2020. . https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.05.07.20094631 doi: medRxiv preprint