Detection of active SARS-CoV-2 in cough aerosols from COVID-19 patients.

Abstract

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an airborne pathogen, but detection of infectious SARS-CoV-2 in air and in particular the introduction of the virus into the environment by different human expiratory manoeuvres is not well studied.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in cough from coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) in-patients and to study contamination of the virus in the patient's environment.

Methods: Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in cough was analyzed by PCR, culture and imaging. Detection in cough was compared to presence of the virus in air and on surfaces from patient rooms.

Results: Twenty-five patients in 21 rooms were included in the study. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was found in cough aerosols from 16 out of 22 patients that produced voluntary cough. As demonstrated by plaque-forming unit assays, active virus was isolated from 11 of these 16 patients. Using mainly molecular detection, the virus was also found in air, on high-contact surfaces, and no-touch surfaces from the room of the COVID-19 patients.

Conclusions: These results show that infectious SARS-CoV-2 circulating in air can originate from patient cough and should be considered against the risk of acquiring COVID-19 through inhalation.