SARS-CoV-2 RNA in air
Füsun Can and her research team aimed to investigate the role of ambient particulate matters (PM), as potential carriers for SARS-CoV-2. Ambient PM samples in various size ranges were collected from 13 different sites including urban and urban-background locations and hospital gardens in 10 cities across Turkey to investigate the possible presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on ambient PM. The N1 gene and RdRP gene expressions were analyzed for the presence of SARS-CoV-2, and according to RT-PCR and 3D-PCR analysis, dual RdRP and N1 gene positivity were detected in 20 (9.8%) of the samples. The highest percentage of virus detection on PM samples was from hospital gardens in Tekirdağ, Zonguldak, and Istanbul. Findings of this study have suggested that SARS-CoV-2 may be transported by ambient particles, especially at sites close to the infection hot-spots.
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