SARS-CoV-2 decontamination of skin with disinfectants active during and after application

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has resulted in high levels of exposure of medical workers to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Hand decontamination is one of the actions recommended to reduce the risk of infection. Aim: Two disinfectants – BIAKŌS antimicrobial skin and wound cleanser (AWC) and AWC2 (Sanara MedTech, Fort Worth, TX, USA) – were tested to determine whether they can inactivate SARS-CoV-2 upon contact or as a coating applied before contact with the virus. Methods: The ability of AWC and AWC2 to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 was tested in liquid and dried form on plastic surfaces and porcine skin. Findings: AWC and AWC2 were effective in reducing the infectious titre of SARS-CoV-2 in liquid form during application and in dried form 4 h after application. Virus on skin was reduced up to 2 log₁₀-fold and 3.5 log₁₀-fold after treatment with AWC and AWC2, respectively. Conclusion: Application of AWC and AWC2 to skin reduces the level of SARS-CoV-2 and the risk of infection.