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Emerg Infect Dis
. 2020 Jun 3;26(9).
doi: 10.3201/eid2609.202135. Online ahead of print.
SARS-CoV-2 RNA Detection on Disposable Wooden Chopsticks, Hong Kong
Grace Lui, Christopher K C Lai, Zigui Chen, Sylvia L Y Tong, Wendy C S Ho, Apple C M Yeung, Siaw S Boon, Rita W Y Ng, Paul K S Chan
- PMID: 32491982
- DOI: 10.3201/eid2609.202135
Abstract
We detected severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA on disposable wooden chopsticks used by 5 consecutive asymptomatic and postsymptomatic patients admitted for isolation and care at our hospital. Although we did not assess virus viability, our findings may suggest potential for transmission through shared eating utensils.
Keywords: 2019 novel coronavirus disease; COVID-19; Hong Kong; SARS-CoV-2; chopsticks; communal dining; coronavirus; respiratory infections; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; transmission; viruses.