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.
Shuk-Ching WongVeronica Wing-Man ChanLithia Lai-Ha YuenChristine Ho-Yan AuYeungJessica Oi-Yan LeungChi-Kuen LiMonica Oi-Tung KwokSimon Yung-Chun SoJonathan Hon Kwan ChenAnthony Raymond TamIvan Fan-Ngai HungKelvin Kai-Wang ToJanice Yee-Chi LoKwok-Yung YuenVincent Chi-Chung ChengPublished in: Infection control and hospital epidemiology (2022)
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.