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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2021.08.10.455702

Infectious SARS-CoV-2 is emitted in aerosols

Hawks, S. A.·Prussin, A. J.·Kuchinsky, S. C.·Pan, J.·Marr, L. C.·Duggal, N. K.
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Abstract

Respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 are transmitted in respiratory droplets and aerosols, which are released during talking, breathing, coughing, and sneezing. Non-contact transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has been demonstrated, suggesting transmission in aerosols. Here we demonstrate that golden Syrian hamsters emit infectious SARS-CoV-2 in aerosols, prior to and concurrent with the onset of mild clinical signs of disease. The average emission rate is 25 infectious virions/hour on days 1 and 2 post-inoculation, with average viral RNA levels 200-fold higher than infectious virus in aerosols. Female hamsters have delayed kinetics of viral shedding in aerosols compared to male hamsters, with peak viral emission for females on dpi 2 and for males on dpi 1. The majority of virus is contained within aerosols <8 {micro}m in size. Thus, we provide direct evidence that, in hamsters, SARS-CoV-2 is an airborne virus.

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Hawks, S. A., Prussin, A. J., Kuchinsky, S. C., Pan, J., Marr, L. C., Duggal, N. K.. 2021-08-10. Infectious SARS-CoV-2 is emitted in aerosols. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.08.10.455702

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