Novel Virus Air Sampler Based on Electrostatic Precipitation and Air Sampling of SARS-CoV-2

The assessment of airborne viruses in air is a critical step in the design of appropriate prevention and control measures. Hence, herein, we developed a novel wet-type electrostatic air sampler using a viral dissolution buffer containing a radical scavenging agent, and verified the concentration of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA in the air of hospital rooms inhabiting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and public areas. RNA damage caused by corona discharge was negligible when Buffer AVL was used as the collecting electrode. The viral RNA concentration in the air of the room varied by patient: 3.9 × 10³ copy/m³ on the 10th day after onset in a mild case and 1.3 × 10³ copy/m³ on the 18th day in a severe case. Viral RNA levels were 7.8 × 10² and 1.9 × 10² copy/m³ in the air of the office and food court, respectively, where people removed their masks when eating and talking, but it remained undetected in the station corridor where all the people were wearing masks. The assessment of airborne SARS-CoV-2 RNA using the proposed sampler can serve as a basis for the safe discontinuation of COVID-19 isolation precautions to identify exposure hotspots and alert individuals at increased infection risks.