A study of patients being treated for COVID-19 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center has found evidence that the coronavirus contaminates patient care areas, although further study is necessary to determine the risk of the SARS-CoV-2 virus having airborne transmission.

The recent findings by the UNMC, Nebraska Medicine and National Strategic Research Institute researchers found genetic material from the virus that causes COVID-19 in air samples, which provide some evidence that airborne transmission could occur. Their results were posted on the open pre-publication webiste BioRxiv, according to a news release.

The genetic material was found on commonly used surfaces, as well as in air samples from hallways outside of patient rooms.

 “Our findings show how important it is for health care workers providing direct care to these patients to take enhanced transmission precautions,” said John Lowe, vice chancellor for interprofessional health security training and education at UNMC. “That means wearing the proper personal protective equipment, using negative air pressure rooms for these patients whenever possible and being mindful about the method of entering and exiting these rooms.”

Medical professionals treating COVID-19 patients were already taking precautions for airborne transmission. Careful environmental cleaning and disinfection of surfaces, including those in the bathroom, is important.