The relationship between the nasopharyngeal cycle threshold value of RT-PCR COVID-19 to the duration of ultraviolet irradiation in N95 masks contaminated with SARS-CoV-2

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). SARS-CoV-2 is a new type of coronavirus that has never been identified before in humans. Sanitization of N95 masks for repeated use in the current COVID-19 emergency is due to a decrease in the supply of N95 masks in health facilities. One method that can be used today to maintain the supply of N95 respirators is through a cycle of decontamination and reuse with ultraviolet germicidal irradiation. The SARS-CoV-2 virus is very susceptible to ultraviolet light. This study aims to determine the effect of nasopharyngeal CT value RT-PCR COVID-19 on the duration of ultraviolet irradiation of N95 masks contaminated with SARS-CoV-2.METHODS: The study used a pre-experimental research design with a one-group pretest post-test design. The study was conducted at Hasanuddin University Hospital which was conducted on March 25, 2021-July 30, 2022. Nasopharyngeal CT values are measured by means of RT-PCR nasopharyngeal swab results of patients confirmed positive for COVID-19 within a maximum of 24 hours after the results come out. After the irradiation is complete, remove the N95 Respirator section and prepare for a qualitative assessment of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.RESULTS: The results of the Paired Wise Comparison Test show the difference between the average CT value before irradiation and the average CT value after irradiation with a P value of