Community Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 by Surfaces: Risks and Risk Reduction Strategies

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.0c00966
• Publication Date: 2021-01-08T00:17:50Z
• Authors: Ana K. Pitol; Timothy R. Julian
• Keywords: 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak; Sars virus

SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19 pandemic, is perceived to be primarily transmitted via person-to-person contact through droplets produced while talking, coughing, and sneezing. Transmission may also occur other routes, including contaminated surfaces; nevertheless, role that surfaces have on spread of disease remains contested. Here, we use Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment framework examine risks community transmission SARS-CoV-2 evaluate effectiveness hand surface disinfection as potential interventions. Using conservative assumptions input parameters model (e.g., dose–response relationship, ratio genome copies infective virus), average median single hand-to-surface followed by hand-to-face range from 1.6 × 10–4 5.6 10–9 modeled prevalence rates 0.2%–5%. For observed (0.2%, 1%), this corresponds a low risk infection (<10–6). Hand substantially reduces independently disease's frequency. In contrast, highly dependent frequency contacts. The work supports current perception are not primary mode affirms benefits making disinfectants widely available.