Table 2.
Information from articles on the SARS-COV-2 transmission through indoor air in hospitals and prevention methods.
| Author/Year/Ref | Country of Origin | Sample Size | Sampling locations | Type of samples | Results of SARS-COV-2 in the air | Results reported in studies | Proposed methods to prevent SARS-COV-2 transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masoumbeigi et al. (2020) | Iran | 31 Samples | Emergency, bedridden, ICU, CT-SCAN, laundry wards | Air, Temperature, Relative, humidity | No | The SARS-COV-2 was not detected in air samples. | Use of natural and mechanical air conditioning system with positive pressure to clean the air in hospitals |
| Faridi et al. (2020) | Iran | 10 Samples | ICU, ICU-General,ICU-Heart surgery, Thorax, Internal | Air, CO2, Temperature, Relative humidity | No | The SARS-COV-2 was not detected in air samples. | Use precautions for health care workers in hospitals |
| Li et al. (2020) | China | 135 Samples | ICU, General isolation wards, Fever clinic, Storage room for medical waste, Conference rooms, Public area | Air, Aerosol | No | All aerosol samples were negative for the SARS-COV-2 detection. | Isolation ward with ‘three zones and two channels’, namely, clean, buffer and contaminated zones, with doctor and patient channels. The isolation ward should have negative pressure ventilation with 12 or more air changes per hour |
| Cheng et al. (2020) | China | 8 Samples | Patients' room | Air, Aerosol | No | The SARS-COV-2 was not detected in air samples. | Use appropriate hospital infection control measures |
| Kenarkoohi et al. (2020) | Iran | 14 Samples | ICU, ICU entrance hall, Hospital entrance hall, Laboratory ward, CT scan, Radiology, Men internal ward, Woman internal ward, Emergency ward | Air, Bioaerosol, Temperature, Relative humidity, CO2, Particulate matter | Yes | Possibility of airborne transmission of SARS-COV-2 | Use the highest levels of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) precautions |
| Lednicky et al. (2020) | USA | 9 Samples | Patients' room | Air, Aerosol | Yes | The SARS-COV-2 in aerosols can be viable, and there is an inhalation risk with coughs, sneezes, and speaking. | Physical distance, wearing of face-coverings and hand-washing |
| Chia et al. (2020) | Singapore | 6 Samples | Airborne infection isolation rooms, General ward | Air, Bioaerosol, Temperature, Relative humidity | Yes | SARS-COV-2 >4 μm and 1–4 μm sizes PCR-positive particles in two rooms | Not mentioned. |
| Ong et al. (2020) | Singapore | 3 rooms | Isolation rooms | Air | No | All aerosol samples were negative for the SARS-COV-2 detection | Strict adherence to environmental and hand hygiene |
| Liu et al. (2020) | China | 35 Samples | The intensive care units, coronary care units, ward rooms inside Renmin Hospital, Toilet, Staff workstations inside Fangcang Hospital, Medical staff areas, Public areas | Air, Total suspended particles | Yes | Very low concentration of SARS-COV-2 RNA in aerosols of isolated wards and ventilated patient rooms, higher concentration of SARS-COV-2 RNA in toilet | Room ventilation, sanitization of protective apparel, and proper use and disinfection of toilet areas |
| Guo et al. (2020) | China | 40 Samples | ICU, GW | Air, Aerosol | Yes | SARS-COV-2 was widely distributed in the air, the SARS-COV-2 transmission distance might be 4 m | Stricter protective measures by medical staff. |
| Ding et al. (2020) | China | 46 Samples | Isolation rooms, cleaner's storage, Nursing station, Corridor | Air, Bioaerosol, CO2 | Yes | One air sample from a corridor was weakly positive to SARS-COV-2 detection | Pay attention to hygiene in both private and public toilets |