Adherence of SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant to a Surgical Mask and N95 Respirators

Abstract

The use of facial protection has been adopted globally due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We dissected four respirators and one surgical mask into layers to determine whether or not the virus adheres to them. These individual layers were contaminated with the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, and its release by vortexing was performed. Samples were used to infect Vero cells, and a plaque assay was used to evaluate the adherence of the virus to the layers. Results showed that a cumulative log reduction of the layers reduced the load of the virus by at least sixfold. Our study confirms the effectiveness of facial protection in reducing the transmission and/or infection of SARS-CoV-2.

Plain Language Summary

The use of facial protection, including masks and respirators, has been adopted globally due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These products have been demonstrated to be effective in reducing the transmission of the virus. This study tested whether the virus can adhere to the different layers of respirators and a surgical mask. These individual layers were contaminated with the COVID-19 Delta variant, and we determined the degree of release after applying a mechanical force. Samples were used to infect cells, and the adherence of the virus to the layers was assessed. Results showed that a significant reduction in the number of viruses was observed. Our study confirms the effectiveness of facial protection in reducing the transmission and or infection of SARS-CoV-2.

Keywords:

• coronavirus
• COVID-19
• facial protection
• mask
• respirator
• SARS-CoV-2

Author contributions

H Bach conceptualized, reviewed, edited the manuscript and procured financing acquisition. AC Lorenzo-Leal investigated, wrote, reviewed and edited the manuscript. S Vimalanathan investigated and reviewed the manuscript. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank M Krajden from the British Columbian Centre for Disease Control Public Health Laboratory, BC, Canada, for accessing the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This work was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) grant Canadian 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) rapid research funding opportunity (no. OV3-170627) therapeutics to H Bach. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Ethical conduct of research

No samples from animal or human sources have been used in this study.