Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
| Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Morphology | SARS-CoV-2, also known as 2019-nCoV, is a β Coronavirus of the group 2B with at least 70% similarity in genetic sequence to SARS-CoV (spherical enveloped virion with a single-stranded, linear, non-segmented, positive-sense RNA genome). Virions range in size from 60 to 140 nm and have distinctive club-shaped spikes on their surface, which give the virions the appearance of a solar corona, hence the viral family name. SARS-CoV-2 is a new Coronavirus responsible for causing the outbreak of Coronavirus disease first detected in December 2019 (COVID-19). |
| Growth Conditions | Cultured on Vero, Caco-2, and LLC-MK2 cell lines |
| Health Hazards | |
|---|---|
| Host Range | Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing illness in humans and others that circulate among animals, including camels, cats and bats. Analysis of the genetic tree indicated it originated in bats, but whether the virus jumped directly from bats or whether there was an intermediary animal host is not, yet, known. Humans are now the primary SARS-CoV-2 host. |
| Modes of Transmission | Person-to-person contacts (within 6 feet) is the main way that SARS-CoV-2 seems to spread. The virus is spreads mainly via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Spread via contact with a surface or object contaminated with infectious droplets (fomites) can occur when a host then touches their mucus membranes. |
| Signs and Symptoms | May range in severity from asymptomatic to fatal in humans. Symptoms can include: Fever, Cough, and Shortness of breath. Less common includes diarrhea, skin rash, and ocular irritation. More serious cases can develop loss of speech and chest pain. Hospitalization is common in severe cases and can require use of respiratory aids. SARS-CoV-2 may cause a multitude of extrapulmonary symptoms that may result in fatal complications if not treated effectively. |
| Infectious Dose | Can vary based on the transmission route, no solid baseline in humans. Based on non-human primate (NHP) research, the best estimate of the human infectious dose via the inhalation route is 36-179 viral particles |
| Incubation Period | Can be as short as 5-6 days, but the widest range in which symptoms often present is 2-14 days |
| Medical Precautions/Treatment | |
|---|---|
| Prophylaxis | Pre-exposure prophylaxis using an antibody cocktail specific for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein has been authorized in some jurisdictions for moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals who may not respond adequately to vaccines |
| Vaccines | Several are readily available, needs to be taken annually to boost immune protection |
| Treatment | Antiviral agents (such as Paxlovid and Remdesivir) and monoclonal antibody treatments are available. Most often treatment of the symptoms and rest is what is recommended for recovery |
| Surveillance | Monitor for symptoms of COVID-19. Confirm diagnosis with RT-PCR (favored) or rapid antigen testing. Virus may also be detected in tissue samples by in situ hybridization or immunohistochemistry. |
| GWU Requirements | Report all incidents to the Office of Risk Management as well as the Office of Research Safety (ORS) IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE OCCURRENCE. |
| Containment | |
|---|---|
| BSL-2/ABSL-2 | SARS-CoV-2 is currently classified as Risk Group 2 agent. BSL-2 practices, containment equipment, and facilities that are suitable for activities utilizing known or potentially infectious body fluids and for cell culture passage of infectious strains. ABSL-2 practices, containment equipment, and facilities are suitable for studies in animals requiring BSL-2 containment. Based on the risk assessment of a specific research protocol, it may require enhancements or a higher level of containment. For example, as for work with other respiratory viruses, when appropriate. |
| Spill Procedures | |
|---|---|
| Small Spills (<1 liter) | If the spill occurred inside a biological safety cabinet, close the sash and allow the cabinet to operate for 15 minutes before continuing with the spill cleanup.
SARS-CoV-2 is primarily transmitted via aerosols, so spills present an increased risk of exposure. Leave the room immediately and allow the aerosols to dissipate for 15 minutes. Notify others working in the lab. Don appropriate PPE. Cover area of the spill with paper towels or any absorbent material and apply an EPA registered disinfectant effective against enveloped viruses (ethanol, bleach, povidone‐iodine, and chlorhexidine), working from the perimeter towards the center. Allow 30 minutes of contact time before disposal and cleanup of spill materials. |
| Large Spills | Alert lab personnel in the laboratory to the spill and keep people out of the area to prevent spread of the contamination. Check if you have been contaminated or if any of your PPE has been breached. If so follow exposure procedures. Remove any contaminated clothing and place it the biohazard waste. Wash your hands and post a sign on the door. Notify your supervisor of the incident and call ORS (4-8258) for assistance. If the situation involves an imminently life-threatening injury or has catastrophic potential, call 911. |
| Exposure Procedures | |
|---|---|
| Mucus Membrane | Flush eyes, mouth or nose for 15 minutes at eyewash station. |
| Other Exposure | Wash area with soap and water for 15 minutes. |
| Reporting | Report ALL injuries to the PI immediately and reported to the Office of Risk Management at [email protected] IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE OCCURRENCE. Exposures that involve a bloodborne-pathogen or recombinant DNA also need to be reported to the Office of Research Safety at [email protected]. If the injury requires immediate medical attention, call GWPD at 202-994-6111 or call 911. |
| Medical Monitoring | Seek immediate medical evaluation, treatment, and post exposure follow-up at the Employee Health Office at GWU Hospital (900 23rd St., NW, Suite G-1090, Phone: 202-715-4275). Students should go to the Students Health Office at Marvin Center. After hours treatment can be received at the GWU hospital emergency room. |
| Stability | |
|---|---|
| Disinfection | Susceptible 10% bleach and 70% ethanol. In addition 7.5% povidone‐iodine, 0.05% chloroxylenol, 0.05% chlorhexidine, and 0.1% benzalkonium chloride can also be effective |
| Inactivation | Can be inactivated by incubation at temperatures above 56°C, with incubation for 30 minutes at 65°C being commonly recommended criteria, with 100% methanol (ice-cold), or 4% paraformaldehyde |
| Survival Outside Host | Can survive for extended periods at room temperature (20oC) on different types of surfaces including vinyl, steel, glass, paper and polymer banknotes (up to 28 days), cotton cloth (up to 14 days), polymer surfaces (up to 13 days), plastic, face masks and latex gloves (up to 7 days), and cardboard and wood (up to 2 days). Can survive in some biological material such as mucus, saliva, and blood for 1-21 days depending on the environmental conditions (often at higher humidity such as 70-75%). Aerosolized virus can be viable for up to 3 hours |
| Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) | |
|---|---|
| Minimum PPE Requirements | At minimum, personnel are required to don gloves, closed toed shoes, lab coat, and appropriate face and eye protection prior to working with SARS-CoV-2. Additional PPE may be required depending on lab specific SOPs. |
| Additional Precautions | Additional protection may be worn over laboratory clothing when infectious materials are directly handled, such as solid-front gowns with tight fitting wrists, gloves, and respiratory protection. |
| References | |
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