Persistence of SARS-CoV-2 on N95 filtering facepiece respirators: implications for reuse

In response to the shortage of N95® filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) for healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued strategies for extended use and limited reuse of N95 FFRs to conserve supply. Previously worn N95 FFRs can serve as a source of pathogens, which can be transferred to the wearer while doffing and donning a respirator when practicing reuse. To reduce the risk of self-contamination when donning and doffing reused FFRs, the CDC suggested storing FFRs for five days between uses to allow for the decay of viable pathogens including SARS-CoV-2. This study assessed the persistence of the SARS-CoV-2 strain USA-WA1/2020 on N95 FFRs under controlled storage conditions for up to five days to inform the CDC guidance.