# Severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA and viable virus contamination of hospital emergency department surfaces and association with patient coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) status and aerosol-generating procedures

## TL;DR

This study found that hospital emergency department surfaces are often contaminated with SARS-CoV-2, especially in rooms where patients with COVID-19 did not undergo aerosol-generating procedures.

## Contribution

The study identifies a link between patient COVID-19 status and surface contamination levels, independent of aerosol-generating procedures.

## Key findings

- SARS-CoV-2 RNA contamination was most common in rooms of COVID-19 patients who did not undergo aerosol-generating procedures.
- Emergency department surfaces are at high risk for SARS-CoV-2 contamination.
- The presence of viable virus was confirmed on contaminated surfaces.

## Abstract

Emergency departments are high-risk settings for severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) surface contamination. Environmental surface samples were obtained in rooms with patients suspected of having COVID-19 who did or did not undergo aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs). SARS-CoV-2 RNA surface contamination was most frequent in rooms occupied by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients who received no AGPs.