The Stability of an Isolate of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 Lineage in Aerosols Is Similar to 3 Earlier Isolates

Background. Our laboratory previously examined the influence of environmental conditions on the stability of an early isolate of SARS-CoV-2 (hCoV-19/USA/WA-1/2020) in aerosols generated from culture medium or simulated saliva. However, genetic differences have emerged among SARS-CoV-2 lineages, and it is possible that these differences may affect environmental stability and the potential for aerosol transmission. Methods. The influence of temperature, relative humidity, and simulated sunlight on the decay of 4 SARS-CoV-2 isolates in aerosols, including 1 belonging to the recently emerged B.1.1.7 lineage, were compared in a rotating drum chamber. Aerosols were generated from simulated respiratory tract lining fluid to represent aerosols originating from the deep lung. Results. No differences in the stability of the isolates were observed in the absence of simulated sunlight at either 20 degrees C or 40 degrees C. However, a small but statistically significant difference in the stability was observed between some isolates in simulated sunlight at 20 degrees C and 20% relative humidity. Conclusions. The stability of SARS-CoV-2 in aerosols does not vary greatly among currently circulating lineages, including B.1.1.7, suggesting that the increased transmissibility associated with recent SARS-CoV-2 lineages is not due to enhanced survival in the environment.

Automated summary

The study found that the stability of currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 lineages, including the B.1.1.7 lineage, in aerosols does not vary greatly, suggesting that the increased transmissibility associated with recent SARS-CoV-2 lineages is not due to enhanced survival in the environment.