417 - COVID-19 Aerostudy: Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 Virus in the Air of Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19

Background:

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals implemented infection control measures with limited data on predictors of nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 transmission. We aimed to quantify SARS-CoV-2 presence in an inpatient setting to understand nosocomial risk. Table 1
Table 2

Methods:

Patients admitted with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection at an urban academic hospital were enrolled. Demographic/clinical characteristics, a PCR nasal swab(NS), and air samples on filter media in the near- (< 6ft) and far-field ( >6ft) of each patient for 3.5 hours were collected. PCR was used to detect SARS-CoV-2 on filter media. Associations between clinical characteristics and presence of SARS-CoV-2 in air samples used Fisher’s exact and Wilcoxon rank sum tests.

Results:

Of 52 subjects, 46% had no detectable virus by nasal swab on the day of sampling. Of 104 room air samples, 16% had detectable virus from 25% of rooms, including 10 near and 7 far field samples. Subjects with a positive room air sample had fewer days from symptom-onset compared with those with a negative air sample (median 6 vs. 8, p=0.24). Being on room air and having a nasal swab positive increased the odds of detecting virus in air samples but were not statistically significant.

Conclusion:

A small number of air samples with detectable SARS-CoV-2 may suggest lower nosocomial risk than previously anticipated. Multiple subject and environmental factors may have contributed to this finding including patient source control masking, anti-viral therapies and HEPA filtration. The decreased association of virus in the air of those with more days of symptoms but with the need for supplemental oxygen may be related to what is now known about the COVID-19 inflammatory response after the infectious period.

Presenting Author(s)

Hamed Hamza, MD, MPH

Research Assistant
UIC School of Public Health
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.

Co-Author(s)

MS

Margaret Seitsema, PHD

University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
LC

Lorraine Conroy, PHD

University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
Alfredo J. Mena Lora, MD

Assistant Professor
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
Eric Wenzler, PharmD BCPS BCIDP AAHIVP

Assistant Professor
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
SB

Scott Borgetti, MD

Fellow
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, IL, United States
Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
BL

Benjamin Ladner, MD

University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
TC

Tracy Cable, MD

University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
aD

ashley Dahlquist, n/a

University of Illinois Hospital
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
NI

Nahed Ismail, PHD MD

University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
SF

Steven Fisher, MD

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
TA

Taha Ali, MD

University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
DS

Dagmar Sweeney, n/a

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
Susan C. Bleasdale, MD

Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine
University of Illinois at Chicago
Arlington Heights, IL, United States
Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.