Viral Cultures for Assessing Fomites Transmission of SARS-CoV-2: a Systematic

ABSTRACT This is a protocol for a systematic review to assess fomite transmission in SARS-CoV-2. Our research questions are as follows: Are fomite samples infectious? If so, what proportion are infectious, and what is the distance and duration of infectiousness in the air? What is the relationship between fomites, infectiousness and PCR cycle threshold (Ct)? Is there evidence of a chain of transmission that establishes an actual instance of fomite transmission of SARS-CoV-2? We will include studies of any design (and in any setting) that investigate fomite transmission (defined as any inanimate object that, when contaminated with or exposed to infectious agents, can transfer the agent to a new host). We will only include studies that performed viral culture which assessed cytopathic effect and verification techniques to ensure the cultured virus is SARS-CoV-2. We will assess the risk of bias using a checklist modified from the QUADAS-2 criteria.