A new study conducted in China has highlighted that both symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 patients can increase contamination in the surrounding environment. The study is published in the journal, mSphere, and it emphasizes the need to clean the environment near areas occupied by COVID-19 patients.
Zhiyong Zong, the study lead author from Sichuan University in China has said that the placement of COVID-19 patients in rooms with negative pressure demands rigorous environment cleaning to ensure safety. It is also highlighted in the study that it is a safe option to place COVID-19 patients in shelter hospitals than keeping them in isolation at home.
It is mentioned in the study that asymptomatic patients can contaminate their surroundings and increase the risk of infection for healthcare workers as well as family members. Earlier, it was established that surfaces with an ability to carry COVID-19 can pose a danger to people who come in contact with them.
But now, the findings in the new study has come up with new results. While carrying out the study, researchers took samples from the surroundings and the air of six negative pressure non-ICU rooms. In this observation, it was found that COVID-19 infection was present in the surroundings of 2 asymptomatic patients.
A total of 44 out of 112 surface samples were found positive for SARS-Cov-2. The use of a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was made to detect results. The study has indicated that more strict precautionary measures need to be taken to combat the spread of the virus in the surroundings.