Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Inactivation in a Simulated Hospital Room Using a Mobile and Autonomous Robot Emitting Ultraviolet-C Light

Abstract

The spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) since 2019 has made mask-wearing, physical distancing, hygiene, and disinfection complementary measures to control virus transmission. Especially for health facilities, we evaluated the efficacy of an UV-C autonomous robot to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 desiccated on potentially contaminated surfaces. ASSUM (autonomous sanitary sterilization ultraviolet machine) robot was used in an experimental box simulating a hospital intensive care unit room. Desiccated SARS-CoV-2 samples were exposed to UV-C in 2 independent runs of 5, 12, and 20 minutes. Residual virus was eluted from surfaces and viral titration was carried out in Vero E6 cells. ASSUM inactivated SARS-CoV-2 by ≥ 99.91% to ≥ 99.99% titer reduction with 12 minutes or longer of UV-C exposure and onwards and a minimum distance of 100cm between the device and the SARS-CoV-2 desiccated samples. This study demonstrates that ASSUM UV-C device is able to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 within a few minutes.