RAPID: Environmental Surveillance to Assess Aerosol Transmission Pathways of COVID-19 Enabled by On-The-Spot Sampling and Detection

COVID-19大流行的发展速度表明，感染途径可能比目前所了解的更多。通过吸入带有病毒的气溶胶而感染是一种可能的途径。然而，仍然缺乏证据来充分了解吸入气溶胶造成的感染风险。收集空气样本用于分析SARS-CoV2（导致COVID-19疾病的病毒）将有助于确定气溶胶是否以及如何在COVID-19的传播中发挥作用。这些知识将使卫生保健专业人员和其他决策者能够实施保护公众健康的做法。对这些信息的需求是迫切的，因为预计2020年秋季将出现第二波COVID-19，由于与季节性流感重叠，可能会产生更严重的影响。该项目的目标是开发特定和快速的现场空气采样和检测技术，以满足气溶胶监测的需求。项目团队包括在空气采样、设备设计和病毒学方面具有互补专业知识的学者。这项研究的成功完成将提供关键知识，可作为SARS-CoV2存在的早期预警系统，并有助于恢复正常的经济和社会活动。COVID-19已经在全球范围内影响了人类健康。为保护公众和防止疾病进一步传播，迫切需要有关SARS-CoV2（导致COVID-19疾病的病毒）传播方式的信息。该项目的目标是确定气溶胶在SARS-CoV2传播中的作用，并涉及基于已成功开发的寨卡病毒现有模块开发快速气溶胶监测仪。该研究小组由一名气溶胶科学家、一名机械工程师和一名病毒学家组成，他们拥有互补的专业知识和所需的设施，可以迅速实现这一目标。项目研究人员将(1)在照顾过COVID-19患者的医疗机构进行空气采样，以评估SARS-CoV2病毒是否可通过气溶胶传播；(2)开发SARS-CoV2病毒现场核酸检测模块。该模块将通过与cdc批准的测试的分析结果进行比较来验证；(3)在公共场所部署空气采样器检测模块，及早发现可能出现的第二波疫情。这项及时的研究将提供关于SARS-CoV2病毒气溶胶传播作用的重要信息，并为快速检测空气中的病毒提供有力工具。如果证明气溶胶传播是卫生保健机构中的一个重要接触途径，则可以迅速修改操作，以更好地保护卫生保健工作者与大流行作斗争。及早发现疫情和潜在的第二波COVID-19，将有助于采取积极措施保护公众健康。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The speed at which the COVID-19 pandemic has progressed suggests that there may be more infection pathways than presently understood. Infection through the inhalation of virus carrying aerosols is one possible path. However, evidence is still lacking to fully understand the infection risks posed by aerosol inhalation. Collecting air samples for the analysis of SARS-CoV2 (the virus that causes COVID-19 disease) will help determine whether and how aerosols play a role in the spread of COVID-19. Such knowledge will allow health care professionals and other policy makers to implement practices to protect the public health. The need for this information is urgent, as a second wave of COVID-19 is projected for Fall 2020 with potentially more serious impacts due to overlap with seasonal flu. The goal of this project is to develop specific and rapid on-the-spot air sampling and detection technology to address a need for aerosol monitoring. The project team includes scholars with complimentary expertise in air sampling, device design, and virology. Successful completion of this research will provide critical knowledge that can serve as an early warning system of the presence of SARS-CoV2 and help the transition back to regular economic and social activities.COVID-19 has impacted human health on a global scale. Information on the transmission mode of SARS-CoV2 (the virus responsible for COVID-19 disease) is urgently needed to protect the public and prevent further spread of the disease. The goal of this project is to identify the role of aerosols in the spread of SARS-CoV2 and involves the development of a rapid aerosol monitor based on an existing module successfully developed for Zika virus. The research team is composed of an aerosol scientist, a mechanical engineer, and a virologist, who have the complimentary expertise and needed facilities to rapidly achieve the goal. Project researchers will (1) conduct air sampling at healthcare facilities that have cared for COVID-19 patients to assess if SARS-CoV2 virus is transmissible via aerosols; (2) develop an on-the-spot virus nucleic acid detection module for analysis of SARS-CoV2 virus. The module will be validated by comparison with analytical results from CDC-approved tests; and (3) deploy the air sampler detection module in public venues for early detection of a possible second wave of COVID-19. This timely study will provide significant information about the role of aerosol transmission of the SARS-CoV2 virus and offer a powerful tool to rapidly detect the virus in air. If aerosol transmission is proven to be a significant exposure pathway in healthcare facilities, operations may be swiftly revised to better protect healthcare workers fighting the pandemic. Early detection of outbreaks and a potential secondary wave of COVID-19 will enable proactive measures to protect public health.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.