NEW TEST DETECTS COVID-19 ON ENVIRONMENTAL SURFACES 

Last month we featured an article about how adenosine triphosphate (ATP) tests can be used to measure the cleanliness of surfaces after cleaning. While ATP tests are effective, they only test for the presence of bacteria and other microorganisms. More recently, a new molecular-based test has been developed by EMSL Analytical, Inc. that is specially designed to detect the presence or absence of the COVID-19 virus on surfaces.

Recent studies show that the COVID-19 virus can remain viable and infective on surfaces for several hours and even days. While surface transmissions do not seem to be the main way the virus spreads, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated, “COVID-19 is a new disease and we are still learning about how it spreads and the severity of illness it causes.” For this reason, building owners and property managers are encouraged to have their buildings thoroughly cleaned should they suspect that an individual infected with COVID-19 has been on the premises. As addressed last month,tests must be conducted after the cleaning process to ensure such cleanings are done appropriately.

“We had been getting a lot of calls as people were trying to open up buildings post-cleaning after someone had been sick in the building,” says Dr. Jason Dobranic, vice president of Microbiology & Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “We wanted a way that our customers could validate that the cleaning process was done properly. There wasn’t a test available at the start of this. We looked into using the same technology that the FDA (Federal Drug Administration) and the CDC use to test if a patient has the coronavirus. When they published that method, we reviewed their method and used the same technology but applied it to an environmental swab sample for a surface, versus taking it from someone’s nasal cavity.”

As stated in the EMSL report on the surface testing process, “EMSL employs a RT-qPCR test that targets the SARS-CoV-2-nucleocapsid N gene. This method is specified by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for clinical COVID-19 diagnostics.”The EMSL test is not meant to test for COVID-19 in living specimens and can only be used for environmental testing on surfaces. Swabs are sent to and tested at an EMSL lab in New Jersey, which is currently the only lab in the nation equipped to test for COVID-19 on
surfaces. As directed by the CDC, results of this surface testing are reported as either “detected” or “non-detected.”

Medical experts warn of a potential second wave of COVID-19 infections in the coming fall and winter. It is vital that business management teams do what they can to create and maintain clean, hygienic environments within their buildings. The COVID-19 surface test from EMSL Analytical, Inc. may be a vital resource in achieving that goal.

Visit EMSL.com for more information about COVID-19 surface testing and to learn how to order tests for your own building.