SARS-CoV-2 in outdoor air following the third wave lockdown release, Portugal, 2021

• Tipo: Artigo em Revista Científica Internacional
• Data: 2023

Autores

da Silva, PG (Autor) Outra; Nascimento, MS (Autor) Outra; Sousa, SIV (Autor) FEUP; Mesquita, JR (Autor) ICBAS

Revista

Título: Journal of Medical Microbiology

Vol. 72

ISSN: 0022-2615

Editora: Microbiology Society

Indexação

ISI Web of Knowledge - 2 Citações

Scopus - 2 Citações

Outras Informações

ID Authenticus: P-00X-YKG

DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001659

Abstract (EN): Aiming to contribute with more data on the presence of SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) in outdoor environments, we performed air sampling in outdoor terraces from restaurants in three major cities of Portugal in April 2021, following the third wave lockdown release in the country. Air samples (n=19) were collected in 19 restaurant terraces during lunch time. Each air sample was collected using a Coriolis Compact air sampler, followed by RNA extraction and real-time quantitative PCR for the detection of viral RNA. Viral viability was also assessed through RNAse pre-treatment of samples. Only one of the 19 air samples was positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, with 7337 gene copies m(-3) for the genomic region N2, with no viable virus in this sample. The low number of positive samples found in this study is not surprising, as sampling took place in outdoor settings where air circulation is optimal, and aerosols are rapidly dispersed by the air currents. These results are consistent with previous reports stating that transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in outdoor spaces is low, although current evidence shows an association of exposures in settings where drinking and eating is possible on-site with an increased risk in acquiring SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, the minimal infectious dose for SARS-CoV-2 still needs to be determined so that the real risk of infection in different environments can be accurately established.

Idioma: Inglês

Tipo (Avaliação Docente): Científica

Nº de páginas: 6