Assessment of air contamination by SARS-CoV-2 in hospital settings

What The Study Did: In this systematic review of current evidence on air contamination with SARS-CoV-2 in hospital settings, the air close to and distant from patients with COVID-19 was frequently contaminated with SARS-CoV-2 RNA; however, few of these samples contained viable viruses. High viral loads found in toilets and bathrooms, staff areas and public hallways suggest that these areas should be carefully considered.

Authors: Gabriel Birgand, Ph.D., of the Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire de Nantes in France, is the corresponding author.

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(doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.33232)

Editor's Note: The article includes conflict of interest and funding/support disclosures. Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

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Media advisory: The full study is linked to this news release.

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