The chances of getting COVID from hospital surfaces is very low, according to new research done at UC Davis Medical Center.
Study results from multiple samples collected from hospital surfaces and air filtration systems showed that only 2% of swabs tested positive in August, compared to 11% of samples collected in April, according to a Newswise press release.
The team was able to obtain viral genome sequences from the samples — a first in this type of research, which allowed them to track the sources of contamination and trace their spread.
“The reduction in the virus contamination was likely due to improved ICU patient management and cleaning protocols,” said Angela Haczku, a respiratory immunologist and senior author on the study. “The ability to identify viral genome sequences from environmental samples may have high public health significance in outbreak surveillance and monitoring the spread of new viral variants.”
SOURCE: Newswise June 25, 2021